Minneapolis Minimum Wage Plan Faces Court Challenge

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is suing the city of Minneapolis over its ordinance to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024.

Friday's lawsuit alleges Minneapolis' ordinance conflicts with existing state law and asks the court to prevent its enforcement.

Chamber president Doug Loon says a patchwork of local laws is burdensome, especially for employers with operations in multiple cities.

City Attorney Susan Segal says the city will defend against the claims, which are similar to the chamber's challenge to Minneapolis' sick time ordinance. In that case, the courts found the city could impose that ordinance on businesses within Minneapolis. The chamber is appealing.

Minnesota's minimum wage is $9.50 per hour and will go up to $9.65 on Jan. 1. Minneapolis' ordinance raises the minimum wage in the city to $10 per hour starting Jan. 1.