The Virginia General Assembly approved legislation that would incrementally increase the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2023 if Gov. Ralph Northam signs the bill, which is expected.

The minimum wage would go up from the current $7.25 per hour to $9.50 in 2021, $11 in 2022 and $12 in 2023. The bill was approved nearly along party lines, with support from Democrats and opposition from Republicans.