Inslee Explores Minimum Wage Hike For State Workers, Contractors

President Obama recently ordered a minimum wage increase for federal contractors. Now Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he may consider a similar executive order at the state level.

The Democrat made his comments Friday after a meeting with the president at the White House where minimum wage was discussed.

"We are going to evaluate what the status is of workers who work for the state and/or contractors with the state to look what might be the right policy in that regard," Inslee said.

He said his review will take several months.

The governor’s budget office estimated that it would cost taxpayers $2 million a year to boost the minimum wage for state employees to $12 an hour.

Long term, the governor supports an increase in Washington’s statewide minimum wage for everyone. It’s currently $9.32 an hour – the highest in the nation.Copyright 2014 NWNews. To see more, visit http://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/.