New Year Ushers in Minimum Wage Hikes

Two cities and 11 states are raising their minimum wage laws on Jan. 1, 2009, with Washington topping the state list at $8.55 per hour, and the City of Santa Fe besting everyone at $9.92 an hour (San Francisco just behind that at $9.79).

The federal rate will go to $7.25 on July 24, raising many other states' rates in the process (including both Florida and Arizona, which are raising their hourly wage requirement on Jan. 1 but no to that level).

Here's a complete rundown on the Jan. 1 wage increases.

Employers, check your requirements and get the posters you need with this state-by-state labor law posting checklist.

Song Parody: 'This Is Why You Are Fired'

A little gallows humor when times are tough never hurts, I guess, especially when it comes in the form of lyrics rewritten for Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," which was then retitled "This Is Why You Are Fired."

VIEW THE LYRICS