February 7th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Advocates and lawmakers begin their push in earnest this week to gradually raise Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 by 2023. It has become of the hottest topics of this year’s General Assembly session.  The state’s minimum wage is currently $10.10 per hour. Supporters of the statewide minimum wage bill — including unions, progressive groups and religious leaders — are hoping to avoid many additions to the bill, such as provisions for different rates for small and large businesses or that would create different wages for different parts of the state. Senate President Mike Miller, a Democrat, has suggested minimum wages based on geography. Some pro-business groups are preparing for debates over the minimum wage, saying that many small businesses would struggle if they had to pay workers more. The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce has been out front of this issue, conducting a poll of businesses in conjunction with Frostburg State University last fall. Chamber executive director Stu Czapski says the findings are that businesses would suffer significantly from such a hike in wages. While some have suggested minimum wages based on geography, Czapski says that concept isn’t much better…