Minnesota Senate approves $9.50 an hour minimum wage bill

[geardaddy]

In short order the Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved a long fought measure to hike Minnesota's minimum wage from one of the nation's lowest to one of its highest.

The measure, slated to be ready for Gov. Mark Dayton's signature this week, would increase the state's minimum wage from $6.15 an hour to $9.50 an hour by 2016. It passed on a 35-31 vote.

"This is a huge step forward," said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/254593011.html
In short order the Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved a long fought measure to hike Minnesota's minimum wage from one of the nation's lowest to one of its highest.

The measure, slated to be ready for Gov. Mark Dayton's signature this week, would increase the state's minimum wage from $6.15 an hour to $9.50 an hour by 2016. It passed on a 35-31 vote.

"This is a huge step forward," said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville

Several Republicans said the lifting the wage more than 50 percent was simply too rich. Instead, many proposed hiking the state's wage floor to $7.25 an hour, the current federal minimum. Most Minnesota businesses now have to pay that minimum.

"Why are we doing this? Politics at its worst. Higher taxes is what we've really got. This is a distraction," Sen. Dan Hall, R-Burnsville.

Some businesses would be permitted to pay their employees less than $9.50 even when the new wage is fully phased in:

• Resorts who hire summer workers on travel exchange visitor program nonimmigrant visas and give them free lodging or food would be permitted to pay those workers $7.50 an hour.
• Businesses that earn less than $500,000 in gross sales could pay their workers $7.75 an hour.
• Companies that train teenaged workers could pay their workers $7.75 an hour for 90 days as could those that employ 16 and 17 year olds.

Although the debate on the Senate floor was short, the fight the proceeded it was long
More at link.

It's not great, but it's something in the right direction. Of course the usual GOOPER talking points are being pushed in the comments section.

[geardaddy]

1. Kickety

[jwirr]

2. I am upset with the resort exception. Living up on the north shore we had a resort hire these

exchange visitors to work the summer. They did not treat them fairly and did not pay them well. We were a union town and what happened next was beautiful. The visitors came to church and other things in the community. They were welcomed and before long the community learned what was going on. We found them real jobs and helped them through the summer until they could return home. The resort had to find real workers.

I am upset and surprised that our legislators are supporting this program.

[geardaddy]

3. That's a good point.

Thank you for your perspective. I don't really like the fact that there are so many restrictions either. We've got both chambers and the governor's mansion. They should go all out.

[LuckyLib]

4. The state is supporting a $900 million football stadium.

It's the LEAST (and I mean least) the legislature can do to help the working poor. They are already subsidizing wealthy NFL owners to the tune of millions.

[geardaddy]

5. Touché