Council members rally for minimum wage increase

Council members from D.C., Prince George County and Montgomery County are lobbying for a raise in the region’s minimum wage.

The three council members Phil Mendelson of D.C., Marc Elrich of Prince George County and Andrea Harrison of Montgomery County are announcing the plan at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Wednesday.

They are rallying in hopes of increasing the “regional minimum” wage to $11.50 an hour by the year 2016.

Currently the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in Maryland and Virginia, and $8.25 an hour in D.C.

The new objective regarding minimum wage trails a failed proposal of the ‘living wage’ bill which was vetoed by Mayor Vincent Gray.  It was aimed at increasing minimum wages for employees at larger retailers.