Montigny Supports Minimum Wage Hike

The Massachusetts Senate has approved a compromise bill that would hike the state's current $8-per-hour minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2017, but would not tie future increases to inflation.

The 35-4 vote on Thursday came less than 24 hours after House and Senate negotiators hammered out a deal on the minimum wage.

State Senator Mark Montigny of New Bedford was among those supporting the increase....

A House vote is expected next week. Not everyone supports the increase. Jon Hurst, head of the state's Retailers Association, warned the bill could drive some stores out of business.