Senate votes against minimum wage bill

The Senate Finance Committee voted 8-3 on Wednesday against raising Maryland’s minimum wage by 2015. The bill acted to raise the current wage from $7.25 per hour to $10 per hour.

Supporters of the bill believe a wage increase will heighten consumer spending and supply the economy with millions of dollars. Opponents claim a higher minimum wage will increase employer costs, causing more layoffs.

The bill would also enact and raise payment for tipped employees from 50 to 70 percent.