NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A new bill could raise the minimum wage in Tennessee from $7.25 to $20.
Friday, WSMV4′s Brendan Tierney is working to answer the question: Would increasing the minimum wage make products more expensive?
That story will air on WSMV4 in the 6 p.m. newscast.
Thursday, Tierney covered the bill, which was introduced by Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville and Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis.
Tennessee is currently one of 20 states that have a minimum wage set at the federal minimum, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Washington currently has the highest minimum wage of any state at $16.28.
“We are behind,” Johnson said during a Thursday press conference. “People are struggling to keep the lights on and keep food on the table. Other states that have raised the wage are doing well with it.”
A campaign manager for Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Johnson’s likely opposition in the general election, released this statement about the bill:
“Gloria Johnson is as woke as they come, so it’s no surprise this radical socialist is trying to out-liberal Joe Biden’s minimum wage executive order,” the statement said. “It’s a clear sign she puts the liberal woke agenda and PR stunts before Tennesseans. Meanwhile, Senator Blackburn will continue to protect Tennessee and America and secure a strong economy.”
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