Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Pugmire
ST. PAUL, Minn.

Minimum wage hike gets committee hearing

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minnesota House is expected to vote this week for a slightly smaller increase in the state's minimum wage.

Members of the House Ways and Means Committee will take up the bill Monday, along with a DFL amendment to raise the top minimum wage rate to $9.50 per hour for large companies.

House Democrats had originally proposed a rate of $10.55 per hour by 2015, and later rolled it back to $9.95. There will also be automatic inflationary increases.

Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL- Golden Valley, the bill's author, said a minimum wage increase will help the state economy.

"That money is spent in the economy and it's spread out, and multiplied though various businesses. So, what businesses see are more people coming in to buy more things, and that helps their bottom line as well," Winkler said. "So, it's good for increasing demand in the economy by putting more money into low-wage workers' pockets."

Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt of Crown said he thinks the bill is bad for business.

"This is another example of overreach, going far beyond what the federal minimum wage is and putting us in a place that makes us horribly uncompetitive with surrounding states," Daudt said. "That really is what's going to hurt Minnesota's economy and really hurt us from growing the economy and creating more jobs in Minnesota."

Winkler said provisions for 12-week parental leave, and an overtime-pay trigger of 40 hours rather than 48, will also be added to the bill.