Minimum Wage, Big Checks Spur Obama Minnesota Trip
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — President Barack Obama's latest trip to Minnesota is about drawing attention to the state's about-to-increase minimum wage and drawing campaign checks to assist House Democrats in the fall.
White House adviser Valerie Jarrett told reporters Friday that Obama wants to highlight Minnesota's decision to push its minimum wage from $6.15 per hour now to $9.50 per hour by 2016. Obama will be in the state Thursday. It isn't clear whether a public event will be held.
Obama was last in Minnesota in February to give a speech on transportation.
Democratic Party officials previously announced that Obama would headline a late-June Minneapolis fundraiser at the home of his former U.S. ambassador to Morocco.
The fundraising event for the House Democratic Campaign Committee seeks contributions of up to $32,400 per couple.
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