Post by Logan on Jun 12, 2016 2:38:39 GMT -6
FRANKFORT, Ky. – An assistant Jefferson County attorney told the Kentucky Supreme Court on Friday that the General Assembly's long-established recognition of "home rule” gave Louisville Metro Government the flexibility to raise the minimum wage within the county’s borders.
But the lawyer for groups challenging the ordinance said minimum wage is part of a “comprehensive scheme of regulation” set out in Kentucky’s wage and hour law that can only be changed by an express act of the General Assembly.
The two sides debated the issue for nearly 45 minutes before the state’s high court in a case that will have implications beyond Jefferson County. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has passed an ordinance that takes effect July 1 which will raise the minimum wage in the state’s second most populous county.
At issue in the case is an ordinance passed by Louisville Metro Council that increased the local minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $7.75 a year ago. Under the ordinance, the minimum wage will increase in Jefferson County to $8.25 per hour in July, and then step up to $9 an hour in July of 2017.
Read more: www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/10/supreme-court-hears-metro-minimum-wage-case/85689828/
But the lawyer for groups challenging the ordinance said minimum wage is part of a “comprehensive scheme of regulation” set out in Kentucky’s wage and hour law that can only be changed by an express act of the General Assembly.
The two sides debated the issue for nearly 45 minutes before the state’s high court in a case that will have implications beyond Jefferson County. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has passed an ordinance that takes effect July 1 which will raise the minimum wage in the state’s second most populous county.
At issue in the case is an ordinance passed by Louisville Metro Council that increased the local minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $7.75 a year ago. Under the ordinance, the minimum wage will increase in Jefferson County to $8.25 per hour in July, and then step up to $9 an hour in July of 2017.
Read more: www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/10/supreme-court-hears-metro-minimum-wage-case/85689828/