Roys Introduces Legislation to Raise Wages Across Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24 February, 2026

MADISON — Today, Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Rep. Angelina Cruz (D-Racine) introduced legislation to raise Wisconsin’s minimum wage to $15 per hour with a scheduled path to reach $20 per hour by 2030.

Wisconsin’s minimum wage has remained stagnant for 17 years. Workers’ purchasing power has eroded with inflation, leaving many Wisconsinites struggling to make ends meet. 30 states have raised their minimum wage above the federally-mandated $7.25, but Wisconsin workers are being left behind. 

Sen. Roys issued the following statement:

“Anyone putting in 40 hours a week assembling furniture in Arcadia or working in retail in Rib Lake deserves to earn a living wage. That is not a luxury — that is basic dignity.

“More than a million Wisconsin workers earn less than a living wage and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle tell us to trust the free market to set the minimum wage. A ‘free’ market that doesn’t give families enough freedom to survive is a failed market. And we don’t have to accept it. 

“The million workers are childcare providers, support staff in our schools, CNAs, retail and grocery workers, farm workers, hotel housekeepers. No one working 40-hours per week should be living in poverty, struggling to put food on the table. Wisconsinites believe that an honest day's work deserves an honest day's pay. Today, this legislation shows that we do too – everyone deserves the freedom to thrive.”

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