Michigan became the 16th state to ban municipalities from setting new minimum wages last July, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Stateline publication.
Missouri joined that list in September when lawmakers overrode a veto by Gov. Jay Nixon (D) on a similar measure — one he called in a letter explaining his opposition a “clear example of unwarranted government intrusion.”
“This bill would inject the heavy hand of state government into issues typically addressed through the local democratic process,” he wrote.
And Idaho could be next: A similar bill is headed to the full state Senate after it was passed out of committee this week in a party-line vote. Republicans there control both chambers in the state legislature and the governor’s mansion.
Cities across the country have sought to raise worker wages in recent years. Liberals believe doing so will boost the local economy and quality of life for low-wage workers. Conservatives argue that the move will backfire, forcing employers to downsize, leaving some jobless.
Alabama is one of only five states — along with Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee — without a minimum wage of its own. As a result, it defaults to the federal floor of $7.25.


