Senate Democrats have quashed an amendment to a minimum-wage bill that would have delayed the increase and cancelled automatic yearly adjustments.

Unemployed Workers
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Republican Sen. Joe Pennacchio of Morris County asked that the bill be changed to phase in a proposed wage increase over three years.

The amendment failed in a 7-5 party-line vote.

Democrats who lead the Senate and Assembly want to raise the minimum wage by $1.25 per hour.

The Senate Budget Committee is considering the proposal Monday to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour, and make annual adjustments.

The Assembly passed the proposal in May, but it stalled in the upper house.

Senate President Steve Sweeney says the proposal will be put to voters if Gov. Chris Christie vetoes it.

 

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

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