Connecticut Bill Would Fine Some Businesses Not Paying Workers $15 An Hour
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Big companies in Connecticut could pay a hefty penalty if they pay workers less than $15 an hour.
A bill being considered in Hartford calls for fines of $1 an hour for every worker on the job who's earning less than $15.
Nearly 150,000 workers at big companies are estimated to be taking in less than $15 an hour, some of them earning the state's minimum wage of $9.15, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.
State Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, former ranking member of the Commerce Committee, said some lawmakers view the legislation as another example of a government setting mandates and driving away companies considering moving to Connecticut.
"The higher you raise these obligatory wages, the more difficult it is for companies to hire more people, which is exactly what they need to do," Lavielle said. "People in Connecticut still need jobs."