The New Jersey Legislature has voted to send Gov. Chris Christie a bill increasing the minimum wage.
The measure increases the minimum wage by $1.25 per hour to $8.50, and allows automatic adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.
The Assembly took a final technical vote Monday.
The Legislature also plans to advance a resolution that would place the wage increase before voters next November. Democrats want to be ready to place the question on the ballot if Christie vetoes the bill, which they expect.
The Republican governor hasn't said publicly what he'll do. But Senate President Steve Sweeney says Christie told him privately he would not sign a bill containing automatic wage adjustments.
Senate Republicans say businesses recovering from the hurricane can't afford a wage increase now.
