HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Lawmakers and activists supportive of a $15-an-hour minimum wage see momentum building in Connecticut, especially for certain lower-wage workers.

The two chairmen of the General Assembly's Labor and Public Employees Committee this week cheered a recommendation from a wage board in neighboring New York to phase in a $15 minimum wage for workers in larger fast food chains. Rep. Peter Tercyak (Ter-see-AHKH') said it's something that can and should be done in Connecticut.

State lawmakers recently included language in a budget-related bill that created a new low-wage worker advisory board that will advise the Department of Labor on issues facing employees, including wage rates needed for an economically stable living standard.

Connecticut's minimum wage is currently $9.15 an hour. It's scheduled to climb to $10.10 on Jan. 1, 2017.