VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach restaurateur is one of several small business owners across Hampton Roads keeping a close eye on House Bill 1: legislation that would once again raise the minimum wage in Virginia.
Tucked away in KempsRiver Crossing shopping center is a pizza restaurant called Dolcinea. Ernie Warner has run the business alongside his wife Kim for just 10 months, serving up traditional fare like pizza, pasta and sandwiches.
"We're just trying to be a local neighborhood pizzeria," Warner said.
He says running a restaurant comes with its own unique challenges and there could be another change in how he does business, in the future.
If HB 1 becomes law, Warner said it's something he'd have to prepare for, but he's not against it.
"I guess I would say I'm for it," Warner said. "Things are tough. People are struggling. It's hard to pay the rent, it's hard to pay your car payment, people need to get paid."
The bill would increase Virginia's minimum wage from $12 an hour to $13.50 an hour by January 2025 and $15 an hour by 2026.
The bill passed the House of Delegates, Friday, with Democrats there calling it a "priority." Republicans voted against the bills.
Senator Louise Lucas carries the Senate version of the bill. With Democrats holding the majority in the General Assembly, they have the votes they need to get the legislation on Governor Glenn Youngkin's desk.
"You have to pay your people," Warner said. "There's no getting around it."
A poll by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center, released last month, found that 68% of Virginians support raising the minimum wage. Only 30% are against it.
The bill still has to pass the Virginia Senate and get approved by Governor Glenn Youngkin before it becomes law.