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Obama To Promote Minimum Wage Hike In Connecticut

03.05.14 | 8:18 am

President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013 in Buffalo, N.Y., where he began his two day bus tour to speak about college financ... President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013 in Buffalo, N.Y., where he began his two day bus tour to speak about college financial aid. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) MORE LESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama wants the U.S. to follow Connecticut’s lead by raising the minimum wage.

Obama is traveling to a public university in Connecticut Wednesday to amplify his call for Congress to raise the hourly rate from $7.25 to $10.10. It’s a major priority for Obama this year, but it’s not clear Congress will go along.

Governors from Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts will join Obama to lend their support.

Connecticut’s governor signed a wage hike last year that raises hourly wages to $9 next January. He’s also asked state lawmakers to raise it further to $10.10 in line with Obama’s proposal.

Obama will also stop in Boston to headline two fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee.

The trip comes a day after Obama unveiled his 2015 budget proposal.

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JOSH LEDERMAN