Increased Connecticut minimum wage in effect

Connecticut’s minimum wage rose from $8.70 to $9.15 an hour on New Year’s Day.

A state law enacted in March mandated the change, as well as increases to $9.60 an hour on Jan. 1, 2016, and $10.10 on Jan. 1, 2017.

“Connecticut was the first state in the nation to commit to increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour because we want to make sure that no one who works full time lives in poverty,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a press release reminding state residents of the increase. “This latest increase is just one more part of a phased-in series of gradual increases for hard-working men and women, many of whom are supporting their families and who will put this increase directly into Connecticut’s economy.”

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman in the press release said the increase is especially significant for the 125,000 Connecticut women who earn at or just above the minimum wage. “It will help support families and improve women”™s future economic security,” she said.