labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The Connecticut minimum wage went up from $7.65 an hour to $8.00 an hour on January 1, 2009. That represents a hike of 35 cents per hour.

In Connecticut, the minimum wage is not linked to increases in the cost of living, as it is in some other states. Instead, it is voted as part of state law.

Some of the states where the minimum wage follows the inflation rate are Washington, Oregon, Vermont, and Florida.  By contrast, New Mexico, like Connecticut, increases its minimum wage rate by statute. In New Mexico, the state minimum wage increased from $6.50 to $7.50 an hour on January 1, 2009, a hike of $1 per hour – by far the highest of the new year.

As in many other states, administrative, executive, and professional employees are exempt under the Connecticut state overtime and minimum wage laws. The relevant law in this case is Section 31-60-14,15,16 of the Administrative Regulations.

There is also an exception under the Connecticut minimum wage for minors working in agriculture or government. They are entitled to a reduced minimum wage that amounts to $6.80 per hour. In other words, they are only entitled to 85% of the state’s minimum wage. Minors working (more…)

In a surprise move on May 27, Governor Rell vetoed a bill that would have increased the Connecticut minimum wage beginning in January 2009.

The unexpected veto to House Bill 5105 by Governor M. Jodi Rell kills a plan to raise the state minimum wage from the current level of $7.65 per hour to $8.00 in 2009 and $8.25 in 2010. A related act, Senate Bill 55, that would have increased the tip credit, was also vetoed.

The Connecticut minimum wage bill passed both the House and Senate with large majorities. The vote was 106 to 45 for the bill in the House. The Senate passed the proposed increase by more than a 2-to-1 margin, with 25 for the measure and only 11 votes against it.

It’s entirely possible that the Governor’s veto will be overturned by the legislature. In order to overturn the Governor’s veto, proponents of the bill would require 101 votes in the House and 24 votes in the Senate. If the General Assembly considers this measure in a special session, and there are no defectors, they will overrule the veto. (more…)