Home About Chat Users Issues Party Candidates Polling Firms Media News Polls Calendar Key Races United States President Senate House Governors International

New User Account
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource." 
Email: Password:

  (MN) Senate backs minimum-wage hike
NEWS DETAILS
Parent(s) Container 
ContributorEric 
Last EditedEric  Feb 03, 2005 05:55pm
Logged 0
CategoryNews
MediaNewspaper - Star Tribune, The (Minneapolis - St. Paul)
News DateThursday, February 3, 2005 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionSenators approved a two-stage bump in the minimum wage Thursday that could ultimately boost daily earnings from $41 a day to $56 for Minnesotans at the bottom of the pay ladder.

Minnesota's minimum wage currently matches the federal level of $5.15 an hour, the going rate since 1997. Under the bill, the minimum wage would rise to $6.10 this July and $7 the next.

The debate, followed by a 37-28 vote, mirrored one the Senate had last year before passing a wage hike. The big question is whether supporters will get a vote in Republican-led House, where the measure has stalled before.

Sen. Ellen Anderson, the bill's sponsor, said the change is overdue.

"We need a new floor that reflects today's economy,'' Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, said. "$5.15 does not reflect today's economy.''

People on minimum wage are struggling to afford rent, groceries and other basic needs, she said. Minnesota senators get $66 a day just for expenses.
Share
ArticleRead Full Article

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor

DISCUSSION