DFL-endorsed Kelliher Would Boost Minimum Wage $1.50
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DFL-endorsed candidate for Governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher announced today that she would increase the minimum wage by $1.50 – continuing an effort she began with Rep. Tom Rukavina and Archbishop Harry Flynn in 2008.
Currently Minnesota has the 44th lowest minimum wage rate in the nation. Kelliher’s proposal would change that because she says, Minnesota must and can do better.
“My opponent Tom Emmer thinks hard-working Minnesotans serving tables are earning six-figure salaries,” Kelliher said. Emmer proposed a tip penalty this week that could bring base wages for servers in Minnesota to as low as $2.13.
“Clearly Tom Emmer is out of touch with the challenges facing hard-working families struggling in this economy. What he has proposed is no different than stealing tips off the tables of working people.”
Kelliher says hard-working people like Renee Kroeten are doing everything they can to support their families and build a better life for their children. Kroeten is a single mom in Plymouth working three jobs – including one as a server at a Twin Cities hotel. Kelliher’s proposal would increase Kroeten’s base wages, helping her support her two kids.
“Renee wants to send her son to college this fall,” said Kelliher. “As a working mom with two kids in public schools, I know how hard it is to save the money to give my kids the opportunity to succeed. In these difficult times we shouldn’t be cutting wages for middle-class families. That’s why as Governor I will fight for families like Renee’s – and I won’t rest until we increase the minimum wage by $1.50.”
Kelliher’s proposal would bring the minimum wage to $7.65 for large employers (annual sales more than $625,000) and $6.75 for small employers (annual sales less than $625,000).