After a failed effort to force big-box retailers to pay a minimum wage of $12.50 in the District of Columbia, the DC Council has voted to raise the minimum wage to $11.50. The federal minimum wage is currently set at $7.25 an hour.
From the Associated Press:
The 13-member council voted unanimously Tuesday to advance the bill. It will have to clear one more vote before going to Mayor Vincent Gray's desk.
The Democratic mayor supports raising the minimum wage from its current $8.25 to $10 an hour, but not higher. However, he said Tuesday he wants to continue working with the council to find consensus on the appropriate wage increase.
Raising the minimum wage has been shown to have disastrous effects on young people and employment for low-skilled workers.