SWEENEY/TURNER STATEMENTS ON SENATE PASSAGE OF SCR-1

TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland) and Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer, Hunterdon) issued the following statements today regarding Senate passage of SCR-1, which would place on the ballot in 2013 a constitutional amendment to raise the state’s minimum wage and tie future increases to the Consumer Price Index:

“Democrats are united in raising the state’s minimum wage,” said Sweeney. “We are giving the governor the chance to do the right thing, for once, for low income people in this state. If he refuses, then we are fully prepared to move forward with a constitutional amendment. I have no doubt that such an amendment would pass if put before the people of New Jersey, who understand that families simply can’t make ends meet on $7.25 an hour.”

“Working people have suffered too long under a minimum wage that can’t possibly provide enough for them to take care of their families,” said Turner. “The governor needs to the right thing and stand up for those who work 40, 50 and even 60 hours a week just to eke out a living. They deserve a better, fairer wage. If the governor refuses to do that, then the people will speak up in his place.”

SCR-1 now heads to the Assembly. In order to appear on the 2013 ballot, it must pass both houses of the Legislature during the 2012 and 2013 calendar years.