Today marks an historic victory for Kansas Labor and the friends of Kansas’s working men and women. This morning Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed the bill to boost the minimum wage from $2.65 to $7.25 effective Jan 1, 2010. Today was the deadline for the bill to be signed or else become law without a signature, and wanting to send a strong signal about her support of our efforts the governor went ahead and gave her signature.
A broad coalition led by Kansas Labor Unions, and the Kansas Action Network joined with our friends in the Kansas Legislature to push for a raise for the over 20,000 Kansans who earn less than the federal minimum wage. We are proud today to stand with our governor in support of basic economic justice.
From the governor’s office,
“This legislation is long overdue and I am so grateful of the legislators, business leaders and working Kansans who helped make this possible,” Sebelius said. “While the state minimum wage only applies to a small sector of Kansas’ workforce, to them and their families, this legislation is critically important. Our economy must return to its core principle that an honest day’s work brings home an honest day’s pay, and today we’re taking a step in that direction.”
“Kansas’ minimum wage is currently the lowest in the nation — so low that it allows employers to legally pay a rate that keeps people in extreme poverty. After remaining stagnant for more than 20 years, this wage increase, from $2.65 per hour to $7.25 per hour, will show that we value Kansas workers enough to pay them a better wage. Senate Bill 160 is a significant victory for hardworking Kansans across our great state,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley.
“This bill is a tremendous victory, but is long overdue,” said Davis. “Working families drive the economy. When hardworking employees can’t make enough money to pay the bills, it only pushes us deeper into recession. If want to recover from these difficult times and help Kansans move themselves out of poverty, we must start by guaranteeing a wage that dignifies work,” said House Minority Leader Paul Davis.
SB 160 increases the Kansas’ minimum wage law from $2.65 an hour to $7.25 an hour. This wage increase takes effect on January 1, 2010. This legislation also exempts employees and employers covered under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.
This legislation is the 105th bill signed by the governor during the 2009 Legislative Session with one having been vetoed.
