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Should The Mass. Minimum Wage Go Up?

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minimum wage
Supporters of a bill to raise the minimum wage in Minnesota in April (Jim Mone/AP)

The Massachusetts minimum wage is $8 per hour. That's higher than the federal minimum wage. But, the Bay State rate hasn't grown, or been adjusted for inflation, since it was raised to the $8 mark in 2008.

That could change. On Tuesday, state lawmakers held their first public hearing on a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $11 an hour. The hearing drew passionate response. 

While this is a familiar debate, it's also important one. Because if this bill passes, Massachusetts would be raising the minimum wage for the first time in five years. Should it?

Guests

Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts

Brian Lang, president of UNITE HERE! Local 26, a union that represents hospitality workers across Massachusetts

This segment aired on June 12, 2013.

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