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Economy

Community Voice

State minimum wage increase

Virginia's 2026 General Assembly passed legislation incrementally raising the state minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2028, with automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to the consumer price index starting in 2029. The bill was signed into law by Governor Spanberger, making Virginia one of a growing number of states moving toward a $15 floor with inflation indexing.

Should Virginia raise its minimum wage to $15/hour with automatic inflation adjustments?

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Sources

Del. Jeion Ward / Sen. Louise Lucas — https://www.williamsmullen.com/insights/news/legal-news/general-assembly-hot-topic-bills-end-2026-virginia-legislative-session
HB 1 / SB 1 SIGNED INTO LAW. Incrementally raises the state minimum wage to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2028. Beginning January 1, 2029, and each year thereafter, the minimum wage shall be automatically adjusted based on changes in the consumer price index.
Governor Abigail D. Spanberger — https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116470-en.html
Raise Virginia's wage to $15 per hour — an action supported by nearly 80 percent of Virginians.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Raise the minimum wage above $15/hour immediately and index it to a living wage standard, not just CPI.
  2. Support the $15/hour target by 2028 with automatic CPI adjustments as enacted.
  3. Keep the $15/hour goal but slow the phase-in timeline to give small businesses more time to adjust.
  4. Set a lower statewide minimum wage floor and let localities or industries set their own higher rates.
  5. Repeal minimum wage increases; wages should be set by the market without government mandates.