Malloy backs US minimum wage hike, balks in Conn.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says he supports President Barack Obama's push to increase the federal minimum wage but remains noncommittal about whether it should be raised in Connecticut.

Malloy told reporters on Wednesday that he backs raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour and is "open to discussion" about whether to do so in Connecticut. Legislation would increase the minimum wage from $8.25 an hour to $9 on July 1 and to $9.75 a year later.

The legislation also calls for automatic raises in the minimum wage tied to increases in the Consumer Price Index, the federal measure of inflation.

Malloy said that over time Connecticut's minimum wage should probably rise to $9 and he'd prefer it be done nationally to shield Connecticut from being at a competitive disadvantage in attracting business.