![Senator President Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver, D-Essex and Passaic, await Governor Chris Christie’s address to a Joint Legislative Session on property tax reform.](https://www.njsendems.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/070110b02.jpg)
TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) released the following statement after today’s Assembly vote to send legislation to the governor’s desk to increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 and provide annual increases in line with the rate of inflation:
“Democrats are united in sending a strong message that people who live and work in New Jersey have a basic right to a wage that doesn’t condemn them to a life of poverty. We are going to make a minimum wage increase reality. We are just giving the governor a chance to do the right thing for working people.
“If the governor fails to sign this bill, then we will put the decision directly into the hands of the people.”