Gov. Murphy, Assembly speaker say $15 minimum wage bill coming

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said legislation to boost the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour could come this fall.

Murphy and Coughlin, both Democrats, appeared at a New Brunswick community kitchen, to push for the higher wage Thursday.

New Jersey's current minimum wage is $8.60 and goes up automatically according to inflation rates.

Murphy says he wants the $15 wage to be phased in over time to avoid "sticker shock" for businesses.

The higher minimum wage remains an unfulfilled campaign promise for Murphy, who soon after winning election last year appeared with lawmakers to push for the higher wage.

Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation to phase in the higher wage in 2016.