PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House voted 63 to 6 Thursday to pass a bill that raises the state's minimum wage by 25 cents, to $8 an hour.
Supporters said the increase would bring Rhode Island more in line with its neighbors: the Massachusetts minimum wage is $8 an hour, while Connecticut's is $8.25.
They also said it would help the wage to keep up with the times.
"It's certainly not a living wage, and maybe it's not intended to be, but it should keep up with inflation," said Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston.
Minority Leader Brian Newberry, R-North Smithfield, argued that raising the wage will only prompt employers to hire fewer workers or cut jobs, thus hurting the people the bill is intended to help.
The bill now goes to Governor Chafee for his signature.