N.J. considers raising minimum wage, By Joelle Farrell, February 23, 2012, Philadelphia Inquirer: “After hearing tales of hardship from both low-wage workers and struggling businesses on Thursday, a panel of New Jersey lawmakers decided it was time to give a boost to those who earn the minimum wage. The Assembly Labor Committee voted 6-2 to approve a bill that would raise the minimum hourly wage to $8.50, a $1.25 increase that would give New Jersey one of the highest rates in the nation. The bill would peg the wage to inflation, allowing future increases to occur automatically. The full Assembly can now vote on the measure. The Senate Labor committee had not yet scheduled a hearing on the bill…”