Wisconsin Rep. Melissa Sargent has proposed that the state raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Under the proposal, the state would raise the minimum wage to $15 over a five-year period. After the five years, the state would be required to adjust the minimum wage annually to inflation in order to make sure a continued living wage is established for workers across the state.
"Here in Wisconsin, we believe in taking care of each other," said Rep. Sargent. "We believe that putting in an honest day's work means you earn an honest day's pay. We believe our economy should work for all of us, not just the top 1 percent, and that our communities are stronger when we're independent of the government, not dependent upon it."
Currently, one in four Wisconsin workers have poverty-wage jobs, according to a press release from Rep. Sargent. Further, the federal minimum wage has not increased since 2009, but the cost of living in Wisconsin, however, has only continued to rise.
"Today I am proud to have introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage in our state, and to raise up Wisconsin workers, families and communities," said Rep. Sargent. "I look forward to continuing to advocate for the hardworking Wisconsinites across our state."
