Gov. Ned Lamont officially raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next four years.

The first installment of the wage hike kicks in on Oct. 1. That is when wages will go up to $11.

That's an extra $40 a week for most workers.

The new minimum wage hike does not apply to servers and bartenders. Their base wage remains the same, because they earn tips.

But another major priority for Democrats may be on life support.

A new Family Medical Leave program would cover three months of a person's salary if they or a loved one get sick. Gov. Lamont threatened to veto it, but he still thinks a compromise is possible.

"We're going to get a good bill passed," Lamont said. "Paid Family Medical Leave will pass."

Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the state's biggest business group, urged lawmakers Tuesday to abandon the idea, asking, "Do we really want to make it harder for these types of companies to compete and employ people here?"

The state House speaker isn't sure it will come up for a final vote.

The Connecticut General Assembly session ends June 5.