Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington raised their minimum wage on Jan. 1, according to an ABC News report.

Take a seat in the Break Room, our weekly roundup of labor news in Minnesota and beyond. This week: New labor laws take effect; Biden blocks Nippon bid for U.S. Steel; Sanford to pay back wages for violating pregnant worker’s rights;

The Colorado minimum wage increase started on the first of this year and is causing some mixed reactions. The minimum wage in Colorado increased $0.39 to $14.81.

Maine's minimum wage has increased by 50 cents, going from $14.15 an hour to $14.65. That comes out to be about a $1,000 yearly increase for a minimum wage worker working full-time and year-round. Also read: Maine workers face paycheck changes as paid leave contributions begin This new law will affect about 37,

Minimum wage in Colorado increased this year from $14.42 to $14.81. Now because local businesses and restaurants have to start paying their employees more, some owners say they can’t afford to bring in more staff members and are forced to downsize.