While Local officials discussed the Zika virus epidemic, the Albert Lea Tribune reports that local professiona1, Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr, fretted that the next minimum wage hike--from $9 to $9.50--could signal the end of the world as we know it.
In Minnesota prepares for minimum wage increase, staff writer Sam Wilmes reports:
The planned increase in Minnesota’s minimum wage could pose a challenge to small businesses, according to a local professional.
As of Aug. 1, Minnesota minimum wages are set to increase from levels set in August 2015:
Large employers with an annual gross volume of sales made or business done of $500,000 or more must pay at least $9.50 an hour, up from $9 per hour. . . .
Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr said the minimum wage increase could lead to decreased hours for small business employees to account for the increase.
He said most large employers in the community already pay more than minimum wage, noting he thinks it is a challenge for businesses to best handle the minimum wage increase for the company, its employees and its customers.
Oh. Another person disagrees, according to the article:
Myrtle resident Dennis LaCore said he knows a lot of people in the area who could use the increase.
“There’s a lot of need out there,” he said.
LaCore — who is retired — said though he supports a larger minimum wage increase, he thinks it is a good start.
“Even a small step is a step in the right direction,” he said
We find it curious that this issue is coming up in Albert Lea, since it's represented by senator Dan Sparks, DFL- Austin, one of three Democratic state senators to vote against giving low-wage workers a raise.
Infographic: Economists say, despite what most people think, a huge chunk of the people in this country who make the minimum wage are trying to support children. GRAPHIC by EPI, via MN Minimum Wage & The Kids of The Working Poor, 2013.
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