Maryland’s minimum wage will be increasing to 15-dollars beginning on January 1. Lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly have passed a measure proposed by Governor Wes Moore that would accelerate the increase. Although the governor wanted the wage increase by October 1st of this year, the January date is still earlier than required by current state law. Governor Moore says he’s proud that the Fair Wage Act passed the Maryland House and Senate with bipartisan support. He says the “North Star” of his administration is creating pathways to work, wages, and wealth and this legislation will lift up hardworking Marylanders statewide. Opponents of the bill say it will put a strain on small businesses.