For the first time this session, a Minnesota House committee will consider legislation raising the state's minimum wage. Ever since the Minnesota Senate voted Feb. 3 to approve an increase, pressure has been building on House members to act.
The House Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee meets Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the State Office Building to consider minimum wage legislation authored by Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia.
Under Rukavina's bill, the minimum wage would increase from the current $5.15 an hour to $5.90 an hour on July 1 of this year and to $6.65 an hour on July 1, 2006.
That's less than the Senate-approved legislation, which would raise the minimum wage to $6.10 an hour July 1 of this year and $7 an hour in July 2006. But advocates, including organized labor, say any increase would help low-income workers. The minimum wage has not been increased since 1997.
Supporters of a higher minimum wage, including a number of religious organizations and community groups, have been meeting with lawmakers ? particularly Republicans ? to make the case for an increase. In a flurry of e-mails Monday, they urged supporters to contact members of the House Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee before Wednesday's vote.
In the Senate, two Republicans joined DFLers in approving the legislation.
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Minnesota Senate votes to raise minimum wage
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For the first time this session, a Minnesota House committee will consider legislation raising the state’s minimum wage. Ever since the Minnesota Senate voted Feb. 3 to approve an increase, pressure has been building on House members to act.
The House Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee meets Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the State Office Building to consider minimum wage legislation authored by Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia.
Under Rukavina’s bill, the minimum wage would increase from the current $5.15 an hour to $5.90 an hour on July 1 of this year and to $6.65 an hour on July 1, 2006.
That’s less than the Senate-approved legislation, which would raise the minimum wage to $6.10 an hour July 1 of this year and $7 an hour in July 2006. But advocates, including organized labor, say any increase would help low-income workers. The minimum wage has not been increased since 1997.
Supporters of a higher minimum wage, including a number of religious organizations and community groups, have been meeting with lawmakers ? particularly Republicans ? to make the case for an increase. In a flurry of e-mails Monday, they urged supporters to contact members of the House Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee before Wednesday’s vote.
In the Senate, two Republicans joined DFLers in approving the legislation.
Related article
Minnesota Senate votes to raise minimum wage