Minnesota has increased the minimum wage and lowered the threshold distinction between "large employer" and "small employer."
Effective August 1, 2014, a "large employer" means an enterprise whose annual gross volume of sales made or business done is not less than $500,000 (it used to be $625,000). The minimum wage paid by large employers is increased from $5.15 an hour to $8.00 an hour starting August 1, 2014, increasing to $9.00 in 2015 and $9.50 in 2016.
The minimum wage paid by small employers, and by any employer of a person under age 20, is increased to $6.50 an hour effective August 1, 2014, increasing to $7.25 in 2015 and $7.75 in 2016.
Starting in 2017, the minimum wage will be tied to the rate of inflation, subject to the commissioner's ability to sever the tie depending on economic conditions.
The full text of the bill presented to the Governor may be viewed here.
Allison F. Eklund, JD, MA
