By NICOLE CARTRETTE

Minimum wager earners will be working for a little more next year.

Gov. Mike Easley signed a $1 minimum wage increase into law on Thursday.

Beginning Jan. 1, the state minimum wage increases from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour.

The bill ties the state’s minimum wage to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

“If the federal minimum wage is raised, employees in North Carolina will receive whichever is higher,” a press release from Rep. Dewey Hill’s office stated.

Federal minimum wage remains at $5.15 and has not increased in nine years.

The measure becomes law after much talk over an 85-cent to $1 increase.

State Sen. R.C. Soles and Hill stated earlier in the legislative short session that a minimum wage increase was likely.

Local impact

State officials say the increase will affect more than 130,000 workers.

The exact number of Columbus County residents that will be affected by the increase is difficult to pinpoint.

One manager at a local fast food restaurant was reluctant to comment on the wage increase and indicated that employees “sometimes” make only minimum wage but they did not give out information about what they pay employees.

Columbus County employees all make more than minimum wage, according to the personnel office. Virginia Taylor, director of personnel, said she is not aware of any full or part time employees that make only minimum wage.

No county employee would be affected by the $1 increase, with $6.32 being the minimum hourly wage currently being paid.

Jobs affected

A review of the 79 job openings listed with the N.C. Job Bank for Columbus County indicated that nine are listed below the $6.15 that will go in effect next year.

A fast food worker, full time grill cook, warehouse delivery person, and daycare worker were all listed at $6 an hour.

A part-time dishwasher was listed at $5.50 per hour.

Thirty-three did not list a salary.

In other legislation:

Campaign finance

A bill dealing with campaign finance reform that bans the personal use of campaign funds awaits the governor’s approval.

If enacted, the law allows unspent campaign money to be used for charity, political party, or other campaign donations

Other ethics legislation to increase campaign contribution disclosure and lobbying reform continue to be negotiated in the House and Senate, the press release states.

Landfill moratorium

Thursday Soles indicated the fight for a moratorium is not over, even with the short session expected to end late this week.

Soles told fellow senators, “We will be looking down at the City of Wilmington instead of up at” in regard to a proposed nearby landfill.

“We don’t want to degradate the quality of life,” Soles said.

He argued that the Green Swamp’s ecosystem may be harmed if adequate measures are not taken in the regulation of landfills.

“Every Democrat and Republican voted for it,” Soles said.

While senators agree on the issue, it is not one the House has taken action on in the short session.

The House removed the proposal from the budget.

Two previous bills introduced by Soles regarding landfills have not been taken up in the House, either.

“I don’t know what the House will do about this one,” Soles said.

Seatbelt restrictions

Tougher seatbelt laws will require all vehicle passengers to buckle up.

On Dec. 1 all passengers, including back seat riders, must wear a seatbelt.

Back seat passengers could get warning tickets after Dec. 1 and $10 tickets beginning next July, the statement reads.

The measure makes breaking the seatbelt law a secondary violation. Law enforcement could not stop a vehicle for the seatbelt violation alone.

Cable competition

Beginning Jan. 1, local franchise agreements will be phased out and any company can provide pay television service over phone lines or broadband Internet by registering with the Secretary of the State.

The bill has passed the House and Senate and awaits the governor’s signature.

Veteran diplomas

Thursday the House passed legislation to permit high school diplomas to be issued to Korean Conflict and Vietnam War veterans who had not previously received them.

Veterans of World War II have already been issued the special diplomas, the press release states.