Passed, Signed, and Delivered

The Iraq War appropriations bill that contained language raising the minimum in the CNMI and American Samoa was signed by President Bush on Friday.

The minimum wage is currently $3.05 in the CNMi. 60 days from yesterday, it will increase $0.50 to $3.55. 10 months later, it will increase another $0.50 to $4.05. It will increase $0.50 per year after that until it reaches the new federal level, $7.25.

The argument that the CNMI does not fall under US Federal Minimum Wage laws is no longer true.