FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Two state lawmakers held a press conference Tuesday morning to announce legislation that would raise the minimum wage here in Kentucky.
$7.25 an hour is what the minimum wage is in Kentucky right now. It has been at that rate since 2008 and some state lawmakers said its past time for a change. The plan they hope to pass would more than double that by 2027.
Sen. Reggie Thomas and Rep. Kathy Hinkle have pre-filed a bill that raises minimum wage with staggered increases. This means that over the next seven years, the rate would go up gradually, capping at $15 an hour. But, the bill also allows individual cities to make their own minimum wage even higher if they want to.
This is not the first attempt to raise minimum wage. Several other bills have been written over the past few years but with no luck. So, is there any chance that this change will actually happen? These lawmakers said they will not stop trying.
"I think the time is past due. I've pushed to have this bill heard in committee before. I'm not going to stop. Just because you have a first strike, second strike, doesn't mean you should stop swinging," said Thomas.
This bill would also increase minimum wage for employees who make thier living off of tips. Servers would be $3.05 an hour.
