New Jersey lawmakers have advanced legislation requiring employers to pay a $10.10 minimum wage.
The Democrat-led Senate Labor Committee advanced the bill on Monday.
The measure would increase the state's current minimum wage from $8.38 an hour to $10.10 an hour in 2017 and increase it annually through 2021. The wage would go up by either $1.25 or $1 plus an amount adjusted for inflation, whichever is greater.
Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said they plan to put the bill on Republican Gov. Chris Christie's desk.
They say if he fails to sign it they'll pursue a constitutional amendment.
Voters last approved raising the wage in 2013 from $7.25 to $8.25 and setting increases linked to inflation.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
