April 4, 2016, Californians got a surprise when their Governor Jerry Brown signed something known as Senate Bill 3 into law, which increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 1, 2022. These are big steps that will have an amazing impact in the years to come for employers who have 26 or more employees. New York agreed and passed a law that would raise its wage in NYC to $15 per hour by the end of 2018. All over the country, states are seeing these changes come to light, bringing hope to all.

A Steady Incline

In many states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Washington, and more, wages will steadily increase every year until the $15 is met in different years. The reason? The price of virtually everything has increased, and certain jobs are not meeting these demands. People are finding that it is more expensive to live in many aspects of their lives – to eat, to rent homes, and to clothe themselves. It is perceived that this increase will make a difference in the lives of many. In 2009, the Federal Government raised the minimum wage for the first time in over seven years, and since then many great changes have been implemented.

There have been many mixed feelings about the changes. Business owners, for instance, have been reacting negatively in some ways, realizing that the increase of minimum wage could make it difficult for them to receive a profit. Restaurant owners, for instance, realize that changes must be made like reducing portion sizes to ensure that they can absorb the change in wages. Bernie Sanders, who ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination, believes that a wage increase is necessary for those who are underpaid and struggling to get by.

No matter the opinion, changes are gradually being made. In a few years, we will see this increase hit an all-time high and watch the results of such in many states across the country. Only then can we see the results that it wields in the everyday lives of many.