Raising minimum wage across Kentucky will once again be a topic of discussion during the 2020 General Assembly. But, it's uncertain whether the legislation will receive a formal vote.
Lexington Sen. Reggie Thomas and Louisa Rep. Kathy Hinkle are proposing staggered increases in the minimum wage over the next seven years. The measure caps the wage at $15 an hour in 2027. Hinkle said working families in her eastern Kentucky district need pay increases . “They’re getting medical cards. They’re getting food stamps and we hear all the time where the government wants to cut those and therefore what are people going to do. We don’t want them living on the streets,” said Hinkle.
Hinkle added the bill would allow individual cities to enact a higher minimum wage.
Paducah Sen. Danny Carroll opposes government -mposed minimum wages. He said the current workforce shortage for many employers is driving pay decisions. “The people that continue to pay the basic minimum wage, they’re not going to be able to get employees, so they will have to rethink what they are doing and I really do think that will drive the wages up in this state,” noted Caroll
Senator Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer noted it’s unlikely a bill to increase minimum wage will be heard in committee during the upcoming session because he says a mandated minimum wage increase can lead to a decrease in the number of jobs.
Here's a portion of the interview with Reggie Thomas:
Here's a portion of the interview with Danny Carroll:
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