HB 166 (Fight for Fifteen) passed the House of Delegates last week with a vote of 96-44. This is significant progress in getting Maryland’s minimum wage increased. Unfortunately, the bill was amended to carve out tipped workers and agricultural workers. Tomorrow morning, 3/7/19, at 8:30am, the Senate Finance Committee is planning on taking up the House version of the bill, and amending it to exempt all businesses with 15 workers or less from paying the minimum wage.
76% of Maryland businesses have 9 or fewer employees. The percentage of Maryland businesses with under 15 employees — those covered by the proposed longer timeline— is WELL OVER 76%.
We need you to contact the members of the Senate Finance Committee, and ask them for 3 things:
1.) Please vote AGAINST this new amendment to exempt businesses with 15 workers or less from paying the minimum wage.
2.) Please vote to raise tipped workers minimum wage from $3.63/hr to 50% of the new minimum wage
3.) Please vote AGAINST any new amendments that will WEAKEN minimum wage for workers
Senate Finance Committe:
Sen. Delores Kelley, Chair (410) 841-3606 delores.kelley@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Brian Feldman, Vice (410) 841-3169 brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Malcolm Augustine (410) 841-3745 malcolm.augustine@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Pam Beidle (410) 841-3593 pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Joanne Benson (410) 841-3148 joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Antonio Hayes (410) 841-3656 antonio.hayes@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Steve Hershey (410) 841-3639 steve.hershey@senate.state.md.us
Sen. JB Jennings (410) 841-3706 jb.jennings@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier (410) 841-3620 katherine.klausmeier@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Ben Kramer (410) 841-3151 ben.kramer@senate.state.md.us
Sen. Ed Reilly (410) 841-3568 edward.reilly@senate.state.md.us