Minimum Wage '14

[publicunofficial]

Noticing a massive trend in minimum wage based initiatives this election cycle, I figured I'd make a general thread for all of them. Democrats are pushing for minimum wage on the ballot, likely to drive their base to the polls and to give their candidates something to run on. Some of these would go into effect immediately, others would cause a slow increase over the following years:


States that currently have minimum wage initiatives in the works:
Bold = Initiative has gotten enough signatures, will be on the ballot


Alaska
-Current Min. Wage = $7.75
-Would raise the min. wage to $8.75 in 2015, $9.75 in 2016, and from there on would be adjusted based on inflation or $1 more than the federal minimum, whatever is greater.
-Endorsed by Mark Begich

Arkansas
-Current Min. Wage = $6.25
-Would raise the min. wage to $7.50 in 2015, $8 in 2016, and $8.50 in 2017.
-Has been approved for circulation, must gather 62,507 signatures by June 30th
-Endorsed by Mark Pryor

Idaho
-Current Min. Wage = $7.25
-Would raise min. wage to $9.50 by 2017.
-7.7% of all hourly workers in Idaho work minimum wage, the highest in the nation
-Must gather 53,751 signatures by April 30

Massachusetts
-Current Min. Wage = $8
-Would raise min. wage to $10.50 over the course of the next two years
-Endorsed by Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey
-Signatures currently being reviewed by State Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court doesn't approve it, 11,485 more signatures must be gathered by July 2.

Michigan
-Current Min. Wage = $7.40
-Would raise min. wage to $10.10 over 3 years, then tie the min. wage to inflation
-Would increase tip wage for waiters, bartenders, ect. (currently $2.65) $0.85 per year until it reaches $10.10
-Gary Peters supports it, Mark Schauer has stated support for a $9.25 min. wage but has said nothing about this initiative.
-Supporters must gather 258,087 signatures by July 7. The legislature then has the option to support or disapprove the measure. If they support it (unlikely), the initiative passes. If they don't (likely), the initiative goes on the ballot.

Minnesota
-Current Min. Wage = $7.25
-Would increase min. wage to $10, then tie the min. wage to inflation
-Measure must be approved by legislature by simple majority to place it on the ballot

Missouri
-Current Min. Wage = $7.35
-Would increase min. wage to $9.25, and increase the tip wage to 60% of the state minimum wage
-Must gather 98,618 signatures by May 4.

Nebraska
-Current Min. Wage = $7.25
-Would increase min. wage to $9 over 3 years.
-Must gather 80,000 signatures by July 4

South Dakota
-Current Min. Wage = $7.25
-Would increase min. wage to $8.50, then tie to inflation. Raises tipped employee wage from $2.13 to $4.25.

Washington, D.C.
-Current Min. Wage = $8.25
-Would increase min. wage to $12.50 by 2017. Raises tipped employee wage from $2.75 to $8.75.
-Needs 23,000 signatures



I'm interested in the Idaho one, just to see how well it does in a deep red state. The Michigan one will give support to Democrats in crucial races as well, so I'm looking forward to that.


I miss the days when Washington had the highest minimum wage

[Mr. Illini]

Arkansas
-Current Min. Wage = $6.25
-Would raise the min. wage to $7.50 in 2015, $8 in 2016, and $8.50 in 2017.
-Has been approved for circulation, must gather 62,507 signatures by June 30th
-Endorsed by Mark Pryor

How is this legal under Federal law?

[publicunofficial]

Arkansas
-Current Min. Wage = $6.25
-Would raise the min. wage to $7.50 in 2015, $8 in 2016, and $8.50 in 2017.
-Has been approved for circulation, must gather 62,507 signatures by June 30th
-Endorsed by Mark Pryor

How is this legal under Federal law?

Certain small business can pay their employees the state limit instead of the federal one. If a business does more than $500,000 in business in a year, only then can the federal government tell them to pay their employees the federal limit.

Wyoming also has a minimum wage lower than the federal min. wage.

[jimrtex]

Arkansas
-Current Min. Wage = $6.25
-Would raise the min. wage to $7.50 in 2015, $8 in 2016, and $8.50 in 2017.
-Has been approved for circulation, must gather 62,507 signatures by June 30th
-Endorsed by Mark Pryor

How is this legal under Federal law?

Certain small business can pay their employees the state limit instead of the federal one. If a business does more than $500,000 in business in a year, only then can the federal government tell them to pay their employees the federal limit.

Wyoming also has a minimum wage lower than the federal min. wage.

Or engage in interstate commerce.  At one time the limits were higher, and there were actually some employees who might be exempt.

The $500,000 limit is based on an assumption that somehow a business must be engaged in interstate commerce if it does that much turnover.

Some states haven't bothered to update their minimum wage laws because practically everyone is covered.  Minnesota for example, has a sub-federal minimum wage.  Oklahoma has the lowest, at $2.00/hour for certain employees.

[Miles]

SUSA Florida poll:

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Left as is- 23%
$9- 22%
$10- 34%
$11- 7%
$12- 6%
Higher- 8%

[Senate Minority Leader Lord Voldemort]

South Dakota
-Would increase min. wage to $8.50, then tie to inflation. Raises tipped employee wage from $2.13 to $4.25.

Yikes. Makes it even more painful since nobody lives in South Dakota to even tip workers making the tipped employee's minimum wage.

[Mr. Illini]

Illinois placed an advisory referendum on the ballot as well btw