Maryland became the first state to pass a living wage bill this week, providing many workers in the state a much needed raise. The measure, which the Maryland Senate passed by a vote of 31-16, will require service contractors doing business with the state to pay employees $11.30 an hour in urban areas and $8.50 an hour in rural areas.
The Maryland House passed the bill last week and Governor Martin O'Malley (D) has promised to sign the bill. Cities and counties across the country have voted to pay workers a living wage, but Maryland is the first state to adopt the measure.
