Dive Brief:
- Louisville, KY's attempt to raise the city's minimum wage to $9 an hour was struck down by the Kentucky Supreme Court last week, an example of the continued battles being fought over wage at the city-state level.
- Opponents of the new wage claimed that Louisville's ordinance creates "the type of conflict that is forbidden under Kentucky's constitution," the Virginian-Pilot reports.
- Kentucky currently follows the federal minimum wage, $7.25. Both Louisville and Lexington, KY were attempting to gradually raise the minimum wage over time.
Dive Insight:
Throughout the country, multiple municipalities are trying to pass minimum wage ordinances that may differ from state requirements. Some states have sought to solve the dilemma by passing preemption laws, which disallow cities and municipalities from passing ordinances that overrule the state's own laws.
Minimum wage is one issue at stake in the upcoming election, particularly in states that have actually put minimum wage on the ballot. This issue is one that will continue to develop throughout the country, especially as laws are stifled at the federal level, meaning HR will need to keep a close eye and plan accordingly.
