Notwithstanding that a number of companies have announced bonus payments and increased minimum wages as a result of the aforementioned Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there are a host of minimum wage bills being proposed in different and states. First, the Cleveland City Council approved public service contracts with a minimum wage of $15/hour for union workers on Monday of this week. Their action although not impacting private employers, is important in that it resurrects an effort to mandate the $15 minimum for all public and private employees in Cleveland, an effort that stalled last summer. In New Jersey, the election of new Governor Phil Murphy, has called for a statewide $15 minimum wage. Although the legislative leadership has not yet reached agreement with the Governor on the specifics of an increase, with the Assembly, the Senate and the governor’s office being controlled by democrats, we expect a bill will move quickly once the details are ironed out between the three branches.