In June 2019, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 set a record. Last updated in July 2009, this is the longest period of time that the federal baseline pay has gone unchanged since that standard was introduced following the Great Depression. This milestone likely is not reflected in most employers’ payroll budgets because states, local governments and even larger companies have stepped in to require or to provide a higher baseline wage. In fact, approximately 22 states raised their minimum wages just this year, in addition to the many localities that have adopted minimum wages above their state minimum wage. Not only are we seeing increases in many states, we are seeing significant ones. Most New Jersey employers, for example, will see a 35 percent increase in the minimum wage from July 1, 2019 to Jan. 1, 2020.