New law bumps up wages in Maryland. Critics say the impact will be minimal.

At the beginning of this year, thousands of Marylanders saw a rise in the minimum wage. Despite the increase, advocates say that it remains insufficient for the state’s workers. As of Jan. 1, the state minimum wage increased to $15 an hour from $13.25 at companies with at least 15 workers and $12.80 at smaller companies. Minimum wage for tipped workers, such as servers and bartenders, remains $3.63.