CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Democrats, low-income workers and union representatives say lawmakers should raise state minimum wages to match Nevada's economic growth.
They made the argument Monday in support of a bill to raise the wage floor 75 cents each of the next five years.
Nevada minimum wages last increased in 2010. They are currently set at $7.25 an hour for those whose employers facilitate health insurance or $8.25 an hour for people without that benefit.
The proposal would increase those until they reached $11 hourly for workers offered insurance and $12 hourly for those without.
Republicans and business owners say a wage hike would hurt businesses and drive up inflation, burdening workers and ultimately wiping out the effect of bigger paychecks.