Minimum Wage Debate Heats Up On House Floor
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — It's time to talk about the minimum wage again.
The Republican-controlled House is expected to take up a bill Monday afternoon that would allow employers to pay tipped staff $8 hourly if tips bring their pay above $12 an hour.
Republicans and restaurant owners say their businesses are hurting due to increased labor costs. Many Democrats and servers say the measure unfairly punishes workers.
It stands little chance of gaining the approval of Democrats in the Senate and governor's office. Democrat-controlled government passed a law last year bumping the state's minimum wage up to $9.50 hourly by 2016.
But the GOP House may use their proposal as a bargaining chip as lawmakers hash out a budget over the next two months.
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