Backers want voters to OK minimum wage of $10.10

2/17/2014

LANSING, Mich. — Supporters of boosting the hourly minimum wage in Michigan say they want to put a bigger proposed increase before voters than previously announced.

The Raise Michigan campaign said today that it now wants to raise the minimum wage from $7.40 per hour to $10.10 per hour by January 2017. The campaign previously submitted proposed ballot language to increase it to $9.50 per hour by January 2016.

The campaign said in a statement that there’s “strong public support” for the idea.

The group says the Michigan Board of Canvassers plans to review the petition Wednesday. If approved, supporters of Raise Michigan say they plan to collect 258,000 valid signatures from Michigan voters needed to put the proposal on the November ballot.

Critics say raising the minimum wage would hurt the economy.