Denver's Midnight Change:– Denver's minimum wage increased from $17.29 to $18.29 per hour at midnight on Sunday.
Annual Adjustments:– Denver's minimum wage has risen by $5.44 since 2020, adjusting annually based on the Consumer Price Index to match the cost of living.
Tip Credits for Employers:– Employers, especially in food and beverage, can claim up to $3.02 in extra hourly tip credits, as highlighted by the city's auditors office.
National Minimum Wage Trends:– About two dozen states, including California and Connecticut, are witnessing minimum wage increases in the New Year.
California and Connecticut Increases:– California's minimum wage increased to $16 from $15.50, while Connecticut's rose to $15.69 from $15.
New York's Recent Pay Bump:– In New York, there was a recent pay bump following an agreement between Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature.
New York's Future Increases:– New York is set for annual increases, with the minimum wage reaching $16 in New York City and its suburbs, and $15 in the rest of the state.
Mixed Reactions in New York:– The New York deal faced objections from some employers and liberal Democrats who felt it didn't go high enough.
Federal Minimum Wage Status:– The federal minimum wage in the United States remains at $7.25 per hour since 2009, with states and localities having the freedom to set higher amounts.
State-Led Increases:– Thirty states, including New Mexico and Washington, have independently set minimum wages higher than the federal level.