Congress is moving ahead with a plan to increase the minimum wage from $4.25 per hour to $4.75 per

Congress is moving ahead with a plan to increase the minimum wage from $4.25 per hour to $4.75 per hour this year and $5.15 next year. About 11 million workers would be affected. To sweeten the pot for business groups opposed to the increase, the House added $7 billion over eight years in tax relief for small businesses; the Senate added 13 billion. The package also would make it easier for small businesses to offer pension plans.

Judi Hasson

Washington Correspondent