The Duluth City Council could become the first in the state to officially back an increase to the minimum wage.

On Monday night, the council will consider a resolution supporting "the campaign to ask the Minnesota Legislature to raise the minimum wage to at least $9.50 an hour by 2015 and index it to inflation," according to the council agenda.

Duluth Mayor Don Ness "is expected to appear at a noon news conference today at City Hall to announce his support for the proposed minimum wage hike," the Duluth News Tribune reports.

Cities are expected to weigh in on the debate as DFL lawmakers push for a minimum wage of $9.50 an hour at the Capitol this session.

According to Star Tribune reporter Rachel E. Stassen-Berger: