TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski will testify before the Economic Matters Committee on Monday and share support for the Fair Wage Act of 2023 (HB-549).

This legislation would accelerate the state’s $15-per-hour minimum wage, fully implementing that wage for all covered employers as of October 1 instead of 2026 as currently required.

In addition, the Fair Wage Act would index the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index beginning on July 1, 2025 with 5% per year cap.

As of January 1, 2022, the minimum wage in Maryland rose from $12.20 to $12.50 per hour. It then increased to $13.25 per hour on January 1, 2023, and is currently set to hit $14 per hour on January 1, 2024.

County Executive Olszewski, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Senior Economist Elise Gould, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Vice President Alissa Barron-Menza, and &Pizza co-founder Michael Lastoria will testify in favor of the bill in Annapolis at 1 p.m. on February 27th.

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