By Associated Press – 30 Dec ’14
A Cheyenne lawmaker is again sponsoring a bill which would increase Wyoming’s minimum wage to $9 an hour.
The state’s current minimum wage is $5.15, but few pay that wage. Companies that engage in interstate trade must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Democratic Rep. Jim Byrd tells the Casper Star-Tribune he is sponsoring the bill to help workers earn a livable wage. He says people who work 40 hours a week should not have to ask for public assistance to make ends meet.
Byrd sponsored a similar bill during the 2014 session, but it was defeated.
Republican Sen. Charlie Scott of Casper says he doesn’t think the bill will clear a committee vote. He says he believes the market should determine hourly wages.
