O'Malley Expresses Support to Raise Minimum Wage

Gov. Martin O'Malley is urging supporters of raising the minimum wage in Maryland to sign a petition.

The Democratic governor in an email from his political action committee on Thursday says he believes the state must make the choice to raise the minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour.

O'Malley says is expecting a long and difficult effort. A measure to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10 by 2015 stalled in a Senate committee in the last legislative session.

O'Malley does not specify in the email how much he believes the minimum wage should be raised.

Last month, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray vetoed a bill that would have forced Wal-Mart and other large retailers to pay their employees at least $12.50 an hour.