BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a bill that would gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and require paid family and medical leave for all workers.
The so-called “grand bargain” also mandates an annual summer sales tax holiday.
The compromise was designed to keep several ballot questions away from voters in November, including a proposal to cut the state sales tax.
In a statement, Baker said he was thankful that all parties came together on “a better set of policies than what the ballot questions represented.”
The paid leave provisions would be financed by a new payroll tax on employers.
Workers would be allowed to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a family member and 20 weeks for their own medical needs.