Florida Minimum Wage Increase

The New Year is off to a great start for nearly a million minimum wage workers in the Sunshine State. On Thursday, the minimum wage increased to $7.21 an hour...that's up 42 cents from last year. The Florida Labor Department says the wage hike was needed because the state has the highest rate of job losses in the nation.

"It's a good way to start off the new year," says Richie Gibbs, a high school student who works at Wings on the Go on Highway 98 in West Pensacola. Gibbs makes minimum wage at the wing restaurant he's worked at for nearly four months. "It'll definitely put a little extra money in my savings account."

Victoria Miller owns the restaurant. Miller says she's glad to see Gibbs compensated for his hard work.

"It won't affect our prices," says Miller. "Prices won't go back up, it'll probably increase our salaries 20 or 30 dollars a week so it won't mean that much of an increase, but I think it'll help stimulate the economy."