ANNAPOLIS – At the end of the legislative session, Maryland lawmakers passed a bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, the Washington Post reports. Gov. Martin O’Malley is expected to sign the legislation, which would give state businesses until July 2018 to up their starting wage. 

The passage of the higher minimum wage makes Maryland the second state to follow President Barack Obama’s call to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. 

Republicans fought hard against the wage hike, saying that it would overburden Maryland companies already absorbing tax increases. “You might feel good today,” said Del. Andrew A. Serafini. “But the reality is that in the long run, it will hurt jobs.” 

However, Democrats countered that such a move would be good for Maryland workers. “If not now, when? When is a good time? … Ultimately, the time is now,” said Del. Dereck E. Davis, who chairs the House Economic Matters Committee.