In her 2006 State of the State speech, Granholm called on legislative leaders to support an increase in the state’s minimum wage. Later that year, she signed the first increase in 9 years. The increase was phased-in in four steps over two years. Minimum wage was $5.15 per hour before March 29, 2006; by July 1, 2008 it had increased to $7.40 per hour.