Coalition: Idaho lawmakers deny hearing on minimum wage hike

Lift Up, Idaho — a coalition of labor groups and social service agencies — announced Wednesday that for a third consecutive year Idaho lawmakers have refused to consider a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mat Erpelding and co-sponsored by Sen. Maryanne Jordan, both Boise Democrats, would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour on July 1, 2016, and to $9.75 on July 1, 2017. The wage for tipped workers would rise on the same schedule from $3.30 to $3.80 and then $4.25. Following the second increase, both wages would be adjusted annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.

“Given that a majority of committee members renewed their commitment to allow testimony from the public, the coalition was hopeful that this year lawmakers would finally hear from Idaho workers and their families,” stated the group’s press release. “However, Sen. Curt McKenzie, Chairperson of Senate State Affairs, said that he would not allow the legislation to advance, stating, ‘There will be no public hearing, and no print hearing this year.’”

“Most people don’t realize that the individual who presides over a committee can arbitrarily decide which issues are important enough to allow public testimony. Minimum wage is an issue worthy of a public discussion given the dire situation facing a great many Idaho workers, their families and our state.”

The coalition stated it will continue to call upon Idaho lawmakers in the state House and Senate to address raising the minimum wage this year.

Lift Up, Idaho coalition members include United Action and Vision for Idaho, the Idaho Jobs Coalition, the Idaho Public Employees Association, the AFL-CIO of Idaho, IBEW 291, Idaho Building Trades Councils, labor groups from across the state, Catholic Charities of Idaho, the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho, the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, Idaho Community Action Network, Transform Idaho, Restore Missions, International Rescue Committee, Better Idaho and others.