By Dee DePass
Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec 28, 2022
Minimum wage earners in Minnesota will get a small raise on Jan. 1, as will their counterparts in 22 other states ...
The inflation adjustment in Minnesota means that workers at businesses with more than $500,000 in annual revenue will see a 26-cent boost in hourly pay to $10.59. ... The minimum wage also is higher in some cities. St. Paul boosted its minimum wage from $12.50 to $15 an hour effective July 1, 2022. That rate rises to $15.19 an hour starting Sunday. Minneapolis' minimum wage jumped ... to $15 in July and is also poised to reach $15.19 on Jan. 1. ...
"These needed raises don't stay in workers' pockets," said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. "They energize communities, as workers and their families have more to spend at local businesses. Minimum wage raises also pay off in lower employee turnover, increased productivity and better customer service, which strengthens small business competitiveness."
Sklar noted that state minimum wage hikes are critical since the federal minimum wage is just $7.25 an hour.
Steven Dyme, co-founder and chief executive of Chicago-based Flowers for Dreams, opened a Minneapolis and Roseville location in July and boosted his wages at his Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois locations from $15 to $16 a year ago to help his 60 U.S. workers achieve more economic independence.
As for changes going into effect in the new year, "Any progress is good progress, but I would love to see more statewide [hikes]," he said. "It will do all the things you'd [expect]. It will boost consumer spending in the state, strengthen the local and state economy for sure and make it a more competitive labor market."
Melinda Christensen, who manages the Flowers For Dreams' Minneapolis shop, said at least one of her four workers was able to quit a second job because her hourly income broke past $15 an hour.
"She was able to quit that other job, work just one job and focus on her school work and not feel so stressed out," she sais. "That was so prominent."
Kevin Brown, owner of the five-employee graphic design and digital printing business Smart Set Inc. said he found that paying more than the minimum wage helped him retain employees, which saved him a lot of money since it costs him $1,500 each time he has to train a new worker.
He fully supports the state increasing minimum wage, but said it needs to be higher. ...
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