Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, said that he sees nothing wrong in allowing voters from other communities that don’t have their own local ordinances on wages and other labor issues to override what voters have done elsewhere. Republican lawmakers are moving to let voters throughout the state override the decision of voters in some cities to set their own minimum wage.
PHOENIX — Republican lawmakers are moving to let voters throughout the state override the decision of voters in some cities to set their own minimum wage.
Legislation awaiting House action this week ask voters in November to declare that the regulation of employee benefits, including wages “is of statewide concern.” HCR 2031 also would say that not only wages, but also other compensation, paid leaves, meal breaks and even rest periods are “not subject to further regulation by a city, town or other political subdivision of this state.”
More to the point, that language, if approved by voters, would be put into the Arizona Constitution.
That's needed because the proposal would override a 2016 law, approved by a 58% to 42% margin, that not only creates a state minimum wage higher than the federal figure but specifically gives cities and towns the right to do even more.
A constitutional amendment trumps statutory changes. And the Arizona Constitution can be amended only by voters.
The measure, if approved, would most immediately supersede what already has been enacted by voters in Tucson and Flagstaff who have...
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