Legislature Aims to Block Minimum Wage Increase

A legislative committee has approved a bill aimed at blocking Alabama cities from raising the minimum wage within city limits.

The House State Government Committee voted out the bill Thursday morning in a 10-3 vote that split along party lines.

The legislative action comes after the Birmingham City Council voted to raise the minimum wage beginning March 1 until it rises to $10.10-per-hour in 2017.

Republican Rep. David Faulkner, the bill’s sponsor, said he hopes to have the bill on the House floor as soon as next week. It is expected to spark a filibuster by Democrats.

Alabama does not have a minimum wage beyond the federal minimum of $7.25-per-hour.

Rep Darrio Melton, a Democrat from Selma, said the current minimum wage keeps workers in poverty.

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