By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 20, 2006; B06

RICHMOND, Dec. 19 -- Democratic legislative leaders said Tuesday that they will seek to raise the state's minimum wage by more than $2 an hour when the General Assembly convenes next month.

Democrats propose to increase the minimum wage, now $5.15 an hour, to $6.15 in 2008 and $7.25 by the end of 2009. Virginia has never set its own minimum, choosing instead to use the federal rate, which has remained $5.15 since 1995.

"How many CEOs have gone without a wage hike in the last 10 years?" asked Del. Albert C. Eisenberg (D-Arlington). "It's not just about economics. It's about justice and fairness."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said he supports an increase, but the proposal is expected to face resistance from the business community and the Republican-controlled General Assembly. A House subcommittee killed a similar proposal this year.

"We have a long tradition in Virginia of adhering to the federal minimum wage rate," said Del. Harvey B. Morgan (R-Gloucester), chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. "Virginia is constantly competing with other Southern states for businesses that provide jobs. . . . If we enacted a change at odds with our decades-long, bipartisan policy on this critical business issue, we'd jeopardize our competitive advantage."

Amy Hewett, director of governmental affairs and public relations for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, agreed that an increase would hurt business.

"We really believe it's a federal issue and should be addressed by Congress," Hewett said.

About 450,000 Virginians are paid the minimum wage, which works out to about $10,700 a year for those who work 40 hours a week.

"Working full time and raising a family should never be a ticket to poverty," said Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

Moran said it is time for the General Assembly to act because 29 states and the District have approved minimum wages higher than the federal rate. Voters in six states approved higher rates through ballot measures last month. The minimum wage became a key issue in several congressional races, which Democratic strategists say helped the party regain control of the House and Senate.

In Virginia, where the labor movement is not strong, Sen.-elect James Webb (D) campaigned hard on the issue during his successful bid to unseat Sen. George Allen (R). Webb repeatedly mentioned that Allen had voted to raise his own pay but voted against several bills to increase the federal minimum wage.

Virginia Democrats said they are hoping to use the issue to put Republican legislators on the defensive in 2007, when all General Assembly members are up for reelection.

In Congress, Democratic leaders of the House and Senate have indicated that they will push to raise the federal minimum wage next year.

But Kaine said he supports a state increase because he is not optimistic that Congress and President Bush can agree on a federal increase.

"I think we have learned that to complain the feds are not doing anything has not gotten us very far," he said.