DES MOINES – Liberals want a minimum wage increase, and there’s a bill in the Iowa legislature that would do just that – but conservatives won’t play long.
Liberals are blaming the so-called ‘Terrible Trio’ of Kraig Paulsen, Linda Upmeyer, and Greg Forristall for blocking a minimum wage increase and preventing a raise for 181,000 Iowans from $7.25 an hour up to an eventual $8.75.
“It’s simply unacceptable,” said Progress Iowa, a liberal political group which punishes conservatives when they won’t pass legislation it likes.
“This terrible trio of state legislators are more to blame than anyone in the state of Iowa for us falling behind our neighbors.”
The Senate – controlled by Democrats – already passed SF 269, but the Republican-controlled House won’t move ahead.
It is unlikely that Governor Terry Branstad would sign a minimum wage increase, even if it passed in the legislature.