Arizona minimum wage increases to $12.80 on January 1

Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - In Arizona, under a law approved by the state’s voters back in 2016, the state's  minimum wage will increase from $12.15 an hour to $12.80 an hour on January 1.

This year’s increase is the second since the phased-in wage boosts hit $12 an hour and automatic increases based on cost of living increases kicked in.

The measure was opposed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and business groups like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and industry back when the wage was sitting at just $8.05.

They argued it would hurt the state’s economy.

Voters approved proposition 208 by a 58% to 41% vote in November 2016.

Wages went to $10 an hour the following year and have increased every year since.

Meanwhile, voters in Flagstaff raised that city’s minimum wage in 2016 as well. It now sits at $15 an hour and will go to $15.50 an hour in January.