Democratic leaders in the Kansas House and Senate have been working tirelessly to raise the minimum wage from an abysmal $2.65 per hour to $7.25 per hour.  Today all their hard work paid off when Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed Senate Bill 160 - finally ending Kansas' reign as the state with the lowest minimum wage in the nation.  This is truly an important victory for working Kansans at a time when good news is few and far between.

From the Office of the Governor:

Sebelius signs legislation to raise Kansas’ minimum wage

Kansas no longer the lowest ranked state in the nation

 

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed historic legislation raising Kansas’ minimum wage.

“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.