ST. PAUL, MN (MNN) – Starting on January 1st, about 219-thousand Minnesotans who earn minimum wage are getting a slight increase for inflation–required by state law.
The minimum wage at large employers is now 9-86 an hour — up 21 cents. At small employers it’s 8-04, a 17-cent increase.
And Minnesotans can expect another debate at the State Capitol in 2019 about increasing the statewide minimum wage to 15 dollars. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are both phasing it in, which adds pressure at the legislature. Governor-elect Tim Walz, initially noncommittal in his campaign, said just before the election he supports a 15-dollar minimum wage. “I think we need to make sure we get to a living wage…. I think Minnesota’s moving in that direction,” he said.
Walz tweeted he “would be proud to sign it into law if it came to my desk.” Whether it does remains to be seen, because Republicans who control the Minnesota Senate warn a 15-dollar minimum wage would be a job-killer and hurt those the state is trying to help.
