Massachusetts Minimum Wage Increase Passes House, Heads To Senate

A bill that would raise Massachusetts' $8 per hour minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2017 could soon be law.

The House of Representatives approved a compromise measure on Wednesday on a 124-24 vote after a brief debate. It was passed by the Senate on a 35-4 vote last week.

Dartmouth State Representative Chris Markey voted in favor of the bill, and tells WBSM News the current minimum wage does not compare with the rising costs of living.

The bill does not include automatic adjustments in the minimum wage for inflation, as the Senate had called for in an earlier version.

The bill needs a final procedural vote in the Senate before heading to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk. Patrick is expected to sign the bill.

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