2014 Referendum Approving Minimum Wage Increases

In the 2014 Election cycle voters in four(4) states voted to approve minimum wage increases in binding referendums and one(1) non-binding referendum.

Alaskans approved in a referendum to increase minimum wage from $7.75 to $9.95 by 2016 and peg it to the inflation index thereafter.  It will icnrease to $8.75 on January 1, 2015 and $9.75 on January 1, 2016.  Tips or gratuities would not count toward the minimum wage.

 Arkansas 2014 referendum approve minimum wage increase from $6.25 to $8.50 by 2017.  It will increase to $7.50 On January 1, 2015, $8.00 on January 1, 2016, and $8.50 on January 1, 2017.

Illinois 2014 referendum approved minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $10.00 by January 1, 2015.  However, this referendum was not binding.

Nebraska 2014 referendum approve minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $9.00 by 2016.  It will increase to $8.00 on January 1, 2015 and to $9.00 on January 1, 2016.  For persons compensated by way of gratuities such as waitresses, waiters, hotel bellhops, porters, and shoeshine persons, the employer shall pay wages at the minimum rate of two dollars and thirteen cents per hour, plus all gratuities given to them for services rendered. The sum of wages and gratuities received by each person compensated by way of gratuities shall equal or exceed the minimum wage rate provided in subsection (1) of this section. 

South Dakota 2014 referendum approve minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $8.50 in 2015, then peg it to the inflation index thereafter.  Additionally, the hourly minimum wage for tipped employees will be half the minimum wage for non-tipped employees.

See all States minimum wage.

Sources:
Alaska Proposed Bill
Arkansas Proposed Bill
Illinois Referendum
Nebraska Proposed Bill
South Dakota Proposed Bill

By Jack Rivers