Senate committee kills legislation to increase Tennessee minimum wage to $12 by 2025

Legislation working to increase minimum wage in Tennessee to $12 per hour has been killed in committee.

Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) introduced the measure which sought to increase hourly wages over a four year period from the current minimum wage level of $7.25 per hour to $12 per hour by 2025. Below is the yearly breakdown of the proposed increase:

*On and after January 1, 2022, $9.25 an hour;

*On and after January 1, 2023, $10.00 an hour;

*On and after January 1, 2024, $11.00 an hour; and

*On and after January 1, 2025, $12.00 an hour.

Kyle told the Senate Commerce and Labor committee that two-thirds of Tennesseans support raising the minimum wage.

“Working families are struggling, many of them are on the brink of collapse or have collapsed. We’re long past due to raise the minimum wage,” said Kyle.

A second motion was not taken on the bill and failed to move forward. The house version has been assigned to a subcommittee for review.

Photo Courtesy: Tennessee State Senate