The state Senate approved an increase in the minimum wage from $7.65 an hour to $8 an hour starting in January 2009 and $8.25 an hour in January 2010.
The 25-11 vote, which gives final passage to the bill, was mainly along party lines with the exception of two Republicans, Sen. Sam Caligiuri, R-Waterbury and Sen. Anthony Guglielmo, R-Stafford Springs.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell is still uncertain about whether she would sign it. Rell’s spokesman Adam Liegeot said in an emailed statement, “While the governor understands the needs of minimum wage workers, she does not want to take any action that will negatively impact businesses and jobs in Connecticut, especially during this troubled economy. Governor Rell will take her time and review this bill closely before deciding what action to take.”