Here is the press release from the Madaleno campaign:<\/p>\n
ECHOING THE WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, MADALENO TO INTRODUCE $15\u00a0MINIMUM\u00a0WAGE LEGISLATION<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong>To quote Dr. King, \u2018Ultimately a great nation is a compassionate nation. No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern<\/em>\u00a0for \u2018the least of these.’\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Annapolis, MD \u2013 Advocates, faith, labor and community leaders, social justice organizers, and elected officials gathered in Annapolis Monday<\/span> in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s birth and spirit of social and economic justice by calling for enactment of legislation to increase the minimum wage in Maryland to $15 an hour.\u00a0 Senator Richard S. Madaleno, Jr. (D-18), who is also a Democratic candidate for governor, is the lead sponsor in the Maryland Senate.\u00a0 Delegate Shelly Hettleman (D-11) is the lead sponsor in the Maryland House.<\/p>\n \u201cToday we not only honor the spirit and legacy of Dr. King, but we heed his words by taking action to benefit those who perform the work that so few of us would choose to do, yet do the work that is indispensible to a functioning society,\u201d said Senator Madaleno.\u00a0 \u201cWhether it be cleaning offices, serving food, or taking care of those who need assistance, there is dignity in all work, and we need to recognize and honor that dignity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The Madaleno-Hettleman legislation phases in a minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 1, 2023<\/span>. \u00a0Once the minimum wage hits $15, the minimum wage may increase further since it is indexed to inflation. \u00a0Other important provisions in the bill include a phase-out of the \u201ctipped credit\u201d, an issue Sen. Madaleno has been working on for many years.\u00a0 Eliminating the tipped credit is a significant step toward addressing the wage gap between men and women, particularly in the restaurant industry, an industry dominated by women.<\/p>\n Madaleno concluded, \u201cIn Dr. King\u2019s acceptance speech upon being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he said, \u2018Ultimately a great nation is a compassionate nation. No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern for \u2018the least of these.’\u201d\u00a0 Today surrounded by so many whom are living the words of Dr. King through their deeds, we ask that the General Assembly and Governor Hogan join us in supporting, passing and enacting a $15 minimum wage.\u00a0 Because, to quote another Dr. King phrase, \u2018The time is always right to do what is right.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Rich Madaleno has served Montgomery County for 15 years in the Maryland General Assembly.\u00a0 Rich has the distinction of being the first openly gay person elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and the first openly gay person elected to the Maryland State Senate. He is an expert on budget issues, serving as Vice-Chair of the Budget and Taxation Committee.\u00a0 Additionally, Rich has been a leader in passing legislation on key progressive issues like marriage equality, ensuring funding for Planned Parenthood, investing in education, gender identity anti-discrimination, and protecting the environment.<\/p>\n ###<\/em><\/p>\n BY AUTHORITY: Marylanders for Rich Madaleno. Linda Eisenstadt, Treasurer.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is the press release from the Madaleno campaign: ECHOING THE WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, MADALENO TO INTRODUCE $15\u00a0MINIMUM\u00a0WAGE LEGISLATION \u201cTo quote Dr. King, \u2018Ultimately a great nation is a compassionate nation. No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern\u00a0for \u2018the least of these.’\u201d Annapolis, MD \u2013 Advocates, … Continue reading Madaleno-Hettleman to Sponsor $15 Minimum Wage Legislation<\/span>