MN House and Senate Approve Minimum Wage Hikes

Both the Minnesota House and Senate approved minimum wage increases last week. The bills would raise the minimum to either $7.75 or $7.90 an hour and would tie annual increases starting next year to the rate of inflation. House author Virginia lawmaker Tom Rukavina said minimum wage workers deserve the increase. Governor Pawlenty has indicated he doesn't like tying further increases to the rate of inflation. A House/Senate conference committee may consider the bills this week.