State minimum wage to remain steady

The Vermont Department of Labor says the state's minimum wage will remain at $8.06 per hour next year. The state minimum wage is linked to the federal Consumer Price Index, which declined by 1.5 percent in August. State law does not allow a decline in the minimum wage so it will remain the same. Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden says a steady minimum wage reflects the economic times. Vermont is one of 13 states that has a minimum wage higher than the federal wage of $7.25 per hour.