A six-to-one Kentucky Supreme Court ruling Thursday struck down minimum wage increases in the state’s two largest cities.
Lexington’s minimum wage increased 95 cents in July to eight $8.20 an hour. The rate was scheduled to go up two more times over the next two years before resting at $10.10.
NOTE: This story has been CORRECTED due to a factual error in an earlier version.
Council member Jennifer Mossotti got support for the pay hike after working the issue for nine months. “(I'm) Not happy with the decision, but mostly concerned about those people that are affected by it. Those who can’t afford to work full time and have a poverty wage,” noted Mossotti.
The court ruled that only the state has the authority to raise the minimum wage. Mossotti says she thought council’s action on a fairness ordinance and smoking ban could be precedent-setting. The veteran council member hopes local employers choose not to reverse any summer pay increases.?
