Although the Rest-Bakk bill to put an indexed minimum wage met with approval by the Senate Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee despite universal condemnation by all of those testifying, the seeming juggernaut has been withdrawn and returned to the author.
How unpopular? The headlines are unflinching: The Star Tribune reported Business, union agree: Don't let voters decide on minimum wage hikes. The Pioneer Press headline read Minnesota minimum wage ballot bill battered, but advances. Barb Kucera of the union publication Workday Minnesota wrote Minimum wage supporters object to amendment proposal.
Sounds like Rest and Bakk took the hint.
From the chief author bill list of Senator Rest (DFL--New Hope)
F 2917 Rest; Bakk
HF 1980 Anzelc
Revisor No.: 14-3800
Topic: Constitutional Amendments
Short Description: Constitutional amendment establishing an inflation adjusted minimum wage
DATE | D-PG | ACTIONS |
03/27/2014 | 6938 | Introduction and first reading |
03/27/2014 | Referred to Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development | |
04/02/2014 | 7355a | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Rules and Administration |
04/02/2014 | Joint rule 2.03, referred to Rules and Administration | |
04/03/2014 | Withdrawn and returned to author |
Bluestem first learned of the action via a tweet by Strib columnist Lori Sturdevant, who linked to a Star Tribune editorial against the idea:
Sen. Rest recalls her min wage indexing constitutional amendment from Sen. Rules. A bad idea dies. http://t.co/2gDkbiSAV1
— Lori Sturdevant (@sturdevant) April 3, 2014
Bluestem will continue with the Whip Count--an update is forthcoming, with news of Senator Eken's position via Your Legislators.
Photo: Senator Ann Rest.
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