CONCORD – House Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) issued a statement following the party line vote in the House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services committee to pass HB731-FN, relative to the minimum hourly rate. This bill as amended would set New Hampshire’s minimum wage at $13/hr, one dollar higher than SB10, which was vetoed by Governor Sununu last session.
“Apparently House Democrats haven’t learned their lesson. Any attempt at passing a job-killing minimum-wage bill will be met with fierce opposition from Republicans. Why they would take last year’s bill, and make it worse, is beyond me. New Hampshire has added over 8,000 jobs in the last year, and continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates and highest average incomes in the country. This bill would be an unnecessary burden on our state’s small businesses and my Republican colleagues and I look forward to defeating this legislation once again. Looks like Groundhog Day will be celebrated on several days next year”