Nashville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The Knoxville lawmaker looking to unseat U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has introduced a bill to raise our state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $20.
The bill, HB 2602/SB 2646, was introduced by Representative Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville and Senator Sara Kyle, D-Memphis on January 31. It aims to increase the hourly minimum wage in the state.
“As introduced, increases the hourly minimum wage to $20.00, or the federal minimum wage established pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, whichever rate is greater,” the bill reads.
If the new bill passes, Tennessee would be home to the highest minimum wage in the country. Currently, Washington 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.”
Since its introduction, the bill has been assigned to committees and subcommittees for discussion in the House and Senate. Now, Johnson is calling on Tennesseans to join the cause and sign onto the bill as a citizen endorser.
Johnson said the bill will not likely pass due to opposition by the Republican supermajority, but significant minimum wage change is needed because she does not consider the current level a livable wage in the state. Rep. Johnson said if this bill doesn’t pass in Tennessee, she would push for similar legislation if elected to the Senate.
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.”
Independent non-profit group, Good Jobs Institute, said many businesses have already set their minimum wage at more than double the federal minimum. Stores like Target in Nashville are advertising starting rates at $16 per hour.
