A petition initiative to increase Nebraska’s minimum wage has cleared the necessary hurdles to be voted on during the general election in November 2014. Ballot initiatives give voters the opportunity to send clear signals to lawmakers regarding issues important to them and raising minimum wages top the list. Nebraska will be among several states to consider increasing its minimum wage in this venue.
In total, there are four (4) states with ballot measures to increase minimum wages. This includes Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. Nebraskans for Better Wages collected over 135,000 signatures qualifying the initiative for the ballot. The minimum wage would increase two times; in 2015 and again in 2016 to $9.00 per hour.
In Alaska, a coalition of labor and community advocates “Alaskans for Fair Minimum Wage”, were successful in getting their minimum wage increase initiative on the November ballot. The wage rate would increase to $9.75 per hour and be set to increase based on adjustments in the CPI.
In Arkansas, the “Give Arkansas a Raise Now” campaign seeks to get the minimum wage raised to $8.50 per hour.
South Dakotans minimum wage increase initiative calls for an increase in the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour and indexing to rise with the cost of living in future years.
Compliance Poster Company’s HR Research and Compliance Team will be closely watching these and other legislative-related developments. Stay tuned for a full report on the outcome.