WASHINGTON - On Thursday last week, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) was joined by 100 of his Democrat colleagues in support of new legislation that would boost the federal minimum wage over three years to nearly $10 an hour.

The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012 (H.R. 6211) would increase the minimum wage in three 85-cent steps, over three years, from $7.25 to $9.80 per hour. The rate will then be indexed to inflation each year thereafter. In addition, the legislation would increase the required cash wage for tipped workers in annual 85 cent increases, from today€™s $2.13 per hour until the tip credit reaches 70% of the regular minimum wage.

"Raising the minimum wage at its core is about respecting and valuing work. No one who works hard every day and plays by the rules should live in poverty," said Miller, who authored the 2007 legislation that increased the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour.

On the Senate side, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) proposed a companion bill, S. 3453, with support from 15 of his colleagues.

It is long past time to establish a fair minimum wage in our country. It is good for families, good for business and good for our economy, and, most importantly, it is the right thing to do," said Harkin.