Senate hearing on raising state minimum wage to $15 draws testimony from workers, faith leaders and employers

Senate Bill 176 would establish a state minimum wage that rises from the federal default to $12 an hour on Sept. 1, 2025, and to $15 an hour on July 1, 2026, sponsor Sen. Deborah Ochsler told the Senate Commerce Committee.

Ochsler argued that New Hampshire’s cost of living and proximity to neighboring states with higher minimums make a state standard necessary to retain workers and reduce reliance on public assistance. Supporters who testified included David Trumbull, faith and community advocates such as Reverend Gail Kinney and Claudia Estelle from the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ, and members of local labor and economic‑justice groups. They cited national and state studies showing thousands of New Hampshire workers earn less than $15 and said higher wages would reduce food insecurity, turnover and reliance on assistance.

Witnesses described specific research and local data: proponents cited a report estimating roughly 30,000 New Hampshire workers would benefit, noted that women make up a substantial share of low‑wage workers in sectors like childcare and eldercare, and said raising wages can increase local consumer spending and support workforce retention.

Opponents and neutral witnesses raised concerns. Allison Milioto of Blue Lion said New Hampshire’s competitiveness must be considered — neighboring states have higher minimum wages but also state income taxes, and the state’s low unemployment rate (about 2.6% at the time of testimony) makes labor markets tight. She argued a one‑size‑fits‑all approach could raise costs in sectors such as childcare and may shift who is eligible for entry jobs. Milioto took a neutral position on the bill but urged that the increase be considered as part of broader policy solutions.

Sen. Merchant, an employer, said his lowest‑paid worker makes $16.50 an hour; other lawmakers questioned whether many workers currently earn $7.25. Supporters replied that hundreds of thousands of workers statewide earn under the proposed thresholds and that the increase would lift many out of poverty while reducing turnover. Witnesses also pointed to research suggesting higher minimum wages have been associated with increased job and income growth in some comparisons.

The hearing included discussion of county, regional and sectoral effects and competing views about market forces versus statutory floors. No committee action was recorded at the hearing. The sponsor asked the committee to recommend the bill ought to pass; the committee closed the hearing and planned executive sessions in March.