The veto may be overridden before the legislative session ends April 8. 

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025.

In a statement, Hogan said the measure would hurt Maryland’s competitiveness and push small businesses out of the state.

“Small businesses faced with the choice between a $7.25 wage in Virginia or $15 in Maryland will be forced to create jobs in the lower cost location and possibly reduce jobs or eliminate operations in Maryland,” he said. “Making Maryland’s minimum wage more than double that of Virginia could be too much for our economy to bear. How can we place Maryland’s workers at risk and Maryland businesses at so much of a disadvantage?”

Democrats can override the veto before the legislative session ends April 8. The measure passed with enough votes to override Hogan’s veto — if all legislators who voted for it in the first place now vote to override.