Virginians react ahead of minimum wage increase
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginians making minimum wage are about to see a bigger paycheck coming their way. "This is a step in the right direction by realizing the impact of inflation on peoples lives," said Levi Goren, with the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. Starting on Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum wage will rise from $12 to $12.41 per hour. Locals tell 10 On Your Side they have mixed reactions, some saying this is a step in the right direction. "I think that we actually need it, I think it should be higher to be honest with you," Said Reginald Lee. "The fact that its 40 cent, that's a start, so maybe it will get better over the years. It gives them a chance to start a real savings account and give them a real taste of what the real world is like, cause it is kind of hard out here sometimes. So that 40 cent is a lot if you think about it compared to $7.25 when back in the day when we had it, which is $12 now." Others say $12.41 still isn't enough. "I guess it's a big deal, but it's not really because it's only 40 cents, so I guess anything helps," Saba Cross said. "Kids that work like a KFC or Wendy's probably benefit from it but other than that i don't think kids benefit from it." After a 2020 bill passed in the general assembly, it became a requirement for the Commonwealth's minimum wage to reflect inflation. However, in March, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed bills that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026. Experts say at least $15 an hour is necessary to progress forward. "The $12.41, while a modest improvement, is not enough to make ends meet in Virginia for a single person who is not supporting any children," Goren said. "The MIT living wage project found that supporting a single person in Virginia costs an average of 24 dollars an hour." With the 2020 law in effect, the minimum wage will continue to rise with inflation even if lawmakers disagree on a $15 dollar an hour minimum wage.
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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginians making minimum wage are about to see a bigger paycheck coming their way.
"This is a step in the right direction by realizing the impact of inflation on peoples lives," said Levi Goren, with the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.
Starting on Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum wage will rise from $12 to $12.41 per hour. Locals tell 10 On Your Side they have mixed reactions, some saying this is a step in the right direction.
"I think that we actually need it, I think it should be higher to be honest with you," Said Reginald Lee. "The fact that its 40 cent, that's a start, so maybe it will get better over the years. It gives them a chance to start a real savings account and give them a real taste of what the real world is like, cause it is kind of hard out here sometimes. So that 40 cent is a lot if you think about it compared to $7.25 when back in the day when we had it, which is $12 now."
Others say $12.41 still isn't enough.
"I guess it's a big deal, but it's not really because it's only 40 cents, so I guess anything helps," Saba Cross said. "Kids that work like a KFC or Wendy's probably benefit from it but other than that i don't think kids benefit from it."
After a 2020 bill passed in the general assembly, it became a requirement for the Commonwealth's minimum wage to reflect inflation. However, in March, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed bills that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026.
Experts say at least $15 an hour is necessary to progress forward.
"The $12.41, while a modest improvement, is not enough to make ends meet in Virginia for a single person who is not supporting any children," Goren said. "The MIT living wage project found that supporting a single person in Virginia costs an average of 24 dollars an hour."
With the 2020 law in effect, the minimum wage will continue to rise with inflation even if lawmakers disagree on a $15 dollar an hour minimum wage.
