It took a record-setting 14 hours of debate, but the Connecticut House finally passed a controversial minimum wage increase this afternoon.

The vote finally came down just after 12 p.m. on a nearly party-line vote. The debate began at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

The bill brings the minimum wage up to $15 an hour gradually over the next 4 1/2 years. It does not give servers and bartenders a raise. 

Republicans say the bill will kill jobs in Connecticut, but Democrats say it's about paying people enough to survive.

State Rep. Robyn Porter (D-Hamden) says Republicans made the same arguments the last time minimum wage was passed.

“…We're still waiting on the sky to fall," he told News 12.

State Rep. Themis Klarides (R-Derby) says forcing businesses to do “one thing after another” makes it “difficult for them to do business.”

The chamber is going to deal with some other controversial issues this year, including tolls.

Gov. Ned Lamont also released details Thursday about his new tolls plan. It would freeze rates for three years and create a bipartisan Connecticut Transportation Commission to approve any tolls plan before it happens. Drivers would also be able to load toll credits onto the E-ZPass at convenience stores.