Other states are currently debating proposals designed to increase minimum wage. 7 Hawaii is reviewing a proposal that would raise its minimum wage of $6.20 per hour to $7.25. 6 Similarly, Vermont has just approved bills that would index the state minimum wage to the national CPI. Alaska, which already boasts one of highest standards in the nation, will base future minimum wages on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or the rate of cost-of-living inflation, for Anchorage. 3 Both New Jersey 4 and New York 5 plan to raise minimum wages in increments to $7.15 by 20, respectively. Wisconsin’s minimum wage is scheduled to climb from $5.70 to $6.50 by June 1, 2006. Many states will increase these hourly rates even further. To date, 16 states have established higher minimum wages: Alaska, $7.15 California, $6.75 Connecticut, $7.10 Delaware, $6.15 District of Columbia, $6.60 Florida, $6.15 Hawaii, $6.25 Illinois, $6.50 Maine, $6.35 Massachusetts, $6.75 New York, $6.00 Oregon, $7.25 Rhode Island, $6.75 Vermont, $7.00 Washington, $7.35 1 and Wisconsin, $5.70. government has failed to increase the national minimum wage, which has held at $5.15 per hour since 1997 despite ever increasing costs of living, states and local governments across the country have implemented compensation laws that raise regional minimum wages to exceed federal standards. This article is from the July 2005 issue.Īlthough the U.S.