![[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The Rhode Island State House is located at 82 Smith St. Providence. Rep. Solomon's bills increase catalytic converter theft penalties & create an interstate compact.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/RI-State-House-190.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives and Senate today approved bills introduced by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. John Burke that would increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $15 to $17 over a two-year period.
The bill (2025-H 5029A, 2025-S 0125A) would increase the minimum wage to $16 on Jan. 1, 2026, and raise it to $17 on Jan. 1, 2027. Each bill now moves to the opposite respective chamber for approval.
“Over the past few years we have increased our minimum wage to help offset the rising cost of living, helping our working families support themselves and keeping us competitive with our neighboring states. But it’s important for us to keep that progress going, because the cost of living continues to rise and our minimum wage is not scheduled to increase after this year,” said Representative Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston). “This legislation will keep our minimum wage rising in a predictable, stable way that allows Rhode Island’s businesses to comfortably plan for the coming increases, while keeping our commitment to livable wages for our constituents.”
Minimum wage in Rhode Island
The minimum wage in Rhode Island was last raised to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025. Massachusetts also has a current minimum wage of $15. Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is indexed to increase with inflation, is currently $16.35.
“Thousands of workers across Rhode Island earn less than a livable wage,” said Senator Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick), who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming. “Raising the minimum wage regularly, as the General Assembly has been doing, ensures that these workers can meet their basic food, housing and health care needs. It also tends to stimulate the economy by increasing their purchasing power.”
“Regular and affordable increases in the minimum wage are an important component to the Rhode Island economy. They increase economic security for working class Rhode Islanders who depend on wages for housing, health care, and meeting kitchen table requirements while also providing economic predictability for businesses across the Ocean State,” said Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
Representative Bennett, who is chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, has been the primary sponsor of every law enacted to raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage since 2012, when minimum wage was $7.40.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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