Virginia's minimum wage just went up
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Workers in Virginia and 18 other states got a raise when minimum wage increases took effect on New Year's Day.
Why it matters: These increases often push employers to raise salaries for folks who are higher up on the income ladder as well, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
Zoom in: Virginia's minimum wage is now $12.77 per hour, up from $12.41 last year.
The big picture: More than 8.3 million workers across the country saw their pay go up on Jan. 1, according to an estimate from the progressive Economic Policy Institute.
Stunning stat: For the first time, there are more workers in states with a minimum wage of $15 an hour or higher than those with the federal minimum of $7.25.
Yes, but: 20 states, many in the South, still use the federal rate, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009, Peck reports.
What we're watching: Virginia Democrats have their sights set on raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028 in this year's legislative session.
- If the effort passes, it could jump to $13.75 next January and $15 in 2028, according to a proposed bill.