Jealous’ economic plan includes minimum wage rise

Candidate also calls for better transit, internet

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous unveiled proposals Wednesday that he said would boost the state’s economy and expand job opportunities for Marylanders.

He proposed prohibiting companies from asking about applicants’ criminal histories and increasing the minimum wage. He also proposed improving public transit to shorten workers’ commutes, expanding high-speed internet and offering government jobs to people who can’t find private employment.

Jealous visited a hair salon in Baltimore’s Lauraville neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon to promote the plan.

“Our ‘Make it in Maryland’ plan is really about making it possible for our entrepreneurs and our business people to thrive and for working people to thrive,” Jealous said outside the Chop Shop.

Jealous, the former head of the NAACP, is a front-runner in the crowded Democratic primary for governor with Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III. Baker also visited Baltimore Wednesday to open an office on North Howard Street.

Early voting begins today and runs through June 21. Election Day is June 26.

Chief among Jealous’ economic priorities is increasing the state’s minimum wage — which is set to go to $10.10 per hour on July 1 — to $15 per hour by 2023. He also wants to phase out the sub-minimum wage earned by tipped workers such as waiters and waitresses.