Cooper: Hike will lead to fewer jobs.
In January, a legislated uptick in the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.00 left some small businesses reeling, says NFIB/Maryland state director Jessica Cooper.
By 2018, that wage will rise to $10.10.
In a recent interview with the Washington Post, Cooper said the hike will reverberate across the state’s small business community.
“For many, the options come down to increasing prices, hiring fewer people, cutting hours or benefits, or possibly cutting staff,” Cooper told the Post, adding that young and low-wage employees could experience layoffs. “This year, companies are going to have to make those decisions not once, but twice.”
Cooper added: “I think a lot of Marylanders forget about those domino effects.”
Question: How has this year’s minimum wage hike impacted your small business? Tell us in the comments section below.
