Minn. Senate Leader: Minimum Wage Hike Unlikely
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The state Senate majority leader says a proposed increase in the state minimum wage is not likely to happen this session because Democrats in the House and Senate can't agree how much to raise it.
Sen. Tom Bakk says Thursday there are not enough votes among Senate Democrats to pass the $9.50 minimum wage sought by House Democrats.
The current state minimum wage is $6.15 an hour. Senate Democrats voted to raise it to $7.75 an hour, but House Democrats wanted the higher rate.
The minimum wage hike had been an early priority for Democrats as they took over the Legislature, and Thissen says the failure to reach accord is "unfortunate." Bakk says he hopes the issue can be revived next year.
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