LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An effort to prevent cities and counties from raising the minimum wage higher than the state or federal rate has failed in the Arkansas Senate.
The Senate voted 14-10 in favor of the bill by Republican Sen. Bart Hester to prevent local governments from requiring business to pay workers a minimum wage or employment benefit higher than what’s required by state or federal law. The proposal needed at least 18 votes to advance to the House.
Supporters of the move say it’s needed to provide uniformity across the state, but opponents say it would infringe on local control. The Senate approved a motion that would allow Hester to seek another vote on the measure later.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.