Lawmakers to start debate over Minnesota's minimum wage

The Associated Press
February 25, 2013 at 3:52PM
Senator Chris Eaton (DFL-Brooklyn Center) talked about her bill to raise the state minimum wage to $7.50/hour. Behind her are Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick) Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley), Thursday, January 10, 2013
State Sen. Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center, is the author of a bill to raise the state minimum wage to $7.50 per hour. Behind her are Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick and Sen. Greg Clausen, DFL-Apple Valley. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

From a small tick up to a big bump, Minnesota lawmakers anxious to boost the state's minimum wage start making their case to colleagues this week.

A Minnesota House panel opens its discussion of a probable hike to the floor wage Monday by reviewing presentations on the economic impact of the minimum wage. The same committee was planning to take public testimony on Wednesday. An all-Democratic state government gives good odds to an increase.

Minnesota hasn't raised its minimum wage since 2005. Minnesota's minimum wage is currently $6.15 per hour, though many workers automatically receive the higher federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.

Competing plans would raise it by a dollar or a couple dollars. Other bills peg future increases to inflation, automatically raising it without a legislative vote.

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