Senator Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) advocated for legislation in the Senate to maintain the value of the minimum wage. He and his colleagues voted for the legislation today in a formal session that would tie the state's minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index. The minimum wage would then be adjusted annually to reflect the inflation costs in the Commonwealth.

"Although families across the state are faced with the rising cost of living, the minimum wage remains the same unless legislation is passed to increase it," explains Senator Berry, a long-time supporter of legislation to keep the state's minimum wage at a fair and adequate level for Massachusetts' families. "This important piece of legislation would establish a mechanism to increase the minimum wage annually in accordance with inflation. A person should be able to earn a decent wage if he or she works hard to make a living."

The legislation passed today in a formal Senate session. It will be sent to the House of Representatives for its review.