HB 1: Minimum Wage; Mandatory Increases to $15/hour
🔴 THREAT LEVEL: HIGH
BILL SNAPSHOT
Bill Number: HB 1
Bill Patron: Del. Jeion A. Ward
Issue Area: Economy / Small Business / Workforce Policy
Who It Will Impact: Businesses, Workers
QUICK SUMMARY
HB 1 establishes a statewide minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour by 2028 and then requires automatic annual increases tied to inflation. The bill sets the wage at $12.77 in 2026, increases it to $13.75 in 2027, and reaches $15.00 in 2028, after which wages rise each year based on the Consumer Price Index.
RALLY ANALYSIS
HB 1 imposes a one-size-fits-all wage mandate that ignores the economic realities of Virginia’s diverse regions, industries, and small businesses.
While marketed as “helping workers,” the bill locks employers into automatic cost increases — regardless of economic downturns, recessions, or local market conditions. Tying wages to inflation creates a permanent upward ratchet with no off-ramp, even when businesses are struggling.
Small businesses — especially restaurants, retailers, farms, and family-owned operations — will face higher labor costs they cannot absorb. The likely result is reduced hours, fewer entry-level jobs, higher prices for consumers, or layoffs.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- Hurts small businesses that operate on thin margins
- Reduces entry-level job opportunities for teens and first-time workers
- Raises consumer prices across goods and services
- Eliminates legislative oversight through automatic CPI increases
RALLY VERDICT: ❌ OPPOSE
HB 1 is a rigid, government-mandated wage scheme that prioritizes political talking points over economic reality. The bill risks harming small businesses, reducing job opportunities, and raising costs for every Virginian.
Rally Radar urges lawmakers to vote NO on HB 1.
RALLY RADAR — THREAT LEVEL LEGEND
⚫ CRITICAL THREAT — Immediate and severe harm; must be stopped
🔴 HIGH THREAT — Serious risk to safety, liberty, or governance
🟡 MODERATE THREAT — Concerning but limited scope
🟢 LOW THREAT — Minimal impact or symbolic
