Maryland legislature approves state minimum wage increase

BALTIMORE, April 7 (UPI) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley praised the Maryland legislature Monday for approving an increase in the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.

O'Malley, at the close of his final legislative session, told lawmakers they had given "so many Maryland families the raise they deserve."

The bill would increase the minimum wage from the federal level of $7.25 an hour to $8 on Jan. 1. With increases every six months, the minimum would be $10.10 an hour in July 2018.

The House of Delegates voted in favor of the bill 87-47 Monday, sending it to O'Malley's desk. The governor is certain to sign it.

The Democratic Party has made increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 a priority. Connecticut passed similar legislation last month.

[The Baltimore Sun]