Philadelphia Inquirer (03/08/12) Joelle Farrell
New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would hike the minimum wage by $1.25 to $8.50 per hour, with the Senate Labor Committee approving the measure on March 8. Proponents of the bill insist it will bolster the economy by giving working families money to purchase things they need, but critics worry that hitting businesses with a payroll increase right now will prompt them to lay off workers or move business to nearby states with lower minimum wages.