Nebraska Legislature Revamps State’s Minimum Wage Schedule

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The Nebraska Legislature has passed a major restructuring of the state’s minimum wage structure, capping the annual increase at 1.75% rather than the cost of living adjustment approved by voters. The State Senator sponsoring the legislation said that it was done in response to “a request from many of the business community”. In addition to capping the annual minimum wage increases, the legislation also restructures the wage scale for younger workers by instituting a new “youth wage” for 14-15 year olds, and adjusting the “training wage” scale for workers 16-20 years old. All of these changes would take effect in July of this year. The state’s governor is expected to sign the legislation.

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