Minimum Wage Will Rise in 21 States

The minimum wage debate continues to affect legislation across the country, and will now increase in 21 states in 2015 in an effort to hike the earnings of low-paid workers. According to the Economic Policy Institute, hourly wages will improve by up to $1 to an average of $8 and the high will boost to $9.15. Currently, the federal hourly minimum for workers is $7.25. Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota approved polling initiatives in November to increase minimum wage while Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia passed legislation in the past two years. With the effects of holiday shopping still rippling through the economy, post-Christmas gifts will add about $1.5 billion into the U.S. economy due to the fact low-wage workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute, spend most of their paychecks.