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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

A Step Up: Plan Would Raise Minnesota’s Wage Floor

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008   

St. Paul, MN – Minnesota's lowest-paid workers would be taking home a bit more money if legislation passes that's currently pending at the State Capitol. House sponsor Tom Rukavina wants to raise the state's minimum wage, starting this summer. The bottom line, he says, is that people should be fairly compensated for the work they do.

"Whether they're a janitor or cleaning a hotel room or taking care of our kids at a cafeteria, it's valuable work that somebody has to do. And they should, at least, be paid a wage that gives them a little bit of pride and allows them to take care of their bills."

His bill would raise the wage in steps, to $6.75 for those working for small businesses and $7.75 for workers at bigger companies. Rukavina explains it's designed to help those at the bottom of the wage scale catch up with the cost of living.

"When the minimum wage was introduced during the Depression, it was meant to be an income 'floor' for people, and we haven't remained true to that ideal. If we had consistently adjusted the minimum wage to account for inflation, it would now be close to $10 an hour, which would be closer to a livable wage."

When the minimum wage goes up, adds Rukavina, workers making a bit more also get a bump, creating a domino effect across the wage scale. He acknowledges that Minnesota used to be a wage leader, but the state has fallen behind.

"We've always been a leader in keeping our minimum wage above the federal government, but right now, we have about 18 states above us, and I just don't think that's a Minnesota tradition. In fact, in polls, something like 80 percent of Minnesotans think the minimum wage should be increased - and an overwhelming majority believe it should also be adjusted for inflation."

HB 456 includes an inflation factor, but the Governor opposes it. Rukavina says that's a point he is willing to negotiate, when the bill comes up for debate, as early as next week.



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