MN Supreme Court taking up Minneapolis minimum wage issue

A fight over proposed ballot measure to increase minimum wage in Minneapolis to $15 an hour is going to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Over objections of the City Council, a Hennepin County judge ruled Monday that a ballot question asking voters to raise the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour must go on the November ballot.

The city appealed and requested accelerated review. The state's high court set oral arguments for Aug. 30. Early voting starts Sept. 23.

Mayor Betsy Hodges supports a higher minimum wage but says the city charter doesn't allow for putting the issue to voters

"I believe that it should be higher. I've been clear about that the whole time," she said. "The strategy to get there in Minneapolis, region-wide, statewide and nationally is what the question is."

Backers of the charter amendment say a higher minimum wage would reduce poverty and racial income disparities.

John Stanoch, interim head of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the wage hike could be an issue for businesses.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.