Heat Map: State/local minimum wage legislationHeat Map: State/local minimum wage legislation

Map Source: National Restaurant Association (Restaurant.org/advocacy)

MINIMUM WAGE MOMENTUM
As most restaurateurs are aware, bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to dramatically increase the federal minimum wage. The Fair Minimum Wage Act would increase the federal minimum wage nearly 40% over a period of slightly more than two years – from the current $7.25 to $10.10 – and it would automatically index the federal minimum wage to inflation each year thereafter, regardless of economic conditions. The legislation also calls for increasing the minimum cash wage for tipped employees until it reaches 70% of the federal minimum wage. It would triple, in stages, from $2.13 to $7.07.

While this federal minimum wage legislation is “u...