DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Democrats in the Legislature haven’t given up on getting a minimum wage bill passed this year but acknowledge they’re still trying to get Republican support.
Led by Sen. Jack Hatch, a candidate for governor, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate gathered Tuesday morning to push Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican leaders to consider boosting the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour from $7.25.
Republicans have said a higher wage minimum law hurts businesses.
Hatch says 300,000 Iowans would see a pay increase. He says Branstad has signed minimum wage bills twice and should be a leader in his party calling for another boost.
Branstad has said he doesn’t oppose an increase but would rather focus on creating new jobs at higher than minimum pay.
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