Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

Ohio’s minimum wage is set to increase starting Jan. 1. The new minimum wage will be $7.85 per hour, an increase of 15 cents on the hour.

Ohioans passed a constitutional amendment in 2006 mandating the states minimum wage be raised at the rate of inflation each January.

According to the group Policy Matters Ohio, 215,000 Ohioans will get a raise as a result of the increased minimum wage. It’s also estimated that consumer spending is expected in increase by $43 million as a result.

According to www.policymattersohio.org, “Ohio is joined by nine states – Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington – that will also raise state minimum wage rates on New Year’s Day, boosting wages for nearly one million workers nationwide. In total, the minimum wage increases taking effect in all ten states on January 1st will generate over $183 million in new economic activity and create the equivalent of 1,500 new full-time jobs.”

The minimum wage for tipped employees is also set to raise. The new minimum wage will be $3.93 per hour, plus tips.

According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, tipped employees includes any employee who engages in a occupation in which he/she customarily and regularly receives more than thirty dollars ($30) per month in tips.

For more information visit the Ohio Department of Commerce at www.com.ohio.gov and for more information about Policy Matters Ohio visit www.policymattersohio.org.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.