ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House voted 69-62 to end starvation wages for people with disabilities in various rehab and recovery programs. The bill will require employers to match the highest minimum wage in the appropriate industry. In committee hearings a young man reported being paid seven cents an hour at a disabilities workforce center. He asked committee members: “Do you think I’m worth more than seven cents an hour?” To that, Representative f Kim Hicks, D-Rochester, responded: “For me that’s a hard ‘yes.’” Although seven cents a hour was extreme, other persons reported extensive use of subminimim wages in the state. In opposition toi the bill, Duane Quam, R-Byron, said the bill would take away an option that’s a “first step build towards building independence.” The bill would end subminimum wages in stages, first in 2026, then in 2028. Earlier the Senate voted 69-9 for legislation that also moves against subminimum wages. The bills now go to a joint Senate-House Committee to resolve inconsistencies.
How southeast Minnesota House members voted:
To end subminimum wages
Kim Hicks of Rochester (D-25A).
Tina Liebling of Rochester (D-24B).
Gene Pelowski of Winona (D-26A).
Andy Smith of Rochester (D-25B).
Against
Pam Altendorf of Red Wing (R-20A).
Greg Davids of Preston (R-26B).
Steve Jacob of Elba (R-20B).
Patricia Mueller of Oakdale (R-23B).
Duane Quam of Byron (R-24A).
Not voting
Brian Pfarr of LeSueur (R-22B).
How southern Minnesota senators voted:
To end subminimum wages
Liz Bolden of Rochesster (D-25)
Gene Dornick of Brownsdale (R-23)
Rich Drahem of Madison Lake (R-22)
John Jasinski of Farbault (R-19)
Jeremy Miller of Winona (R-26)
Carla Nelson of Rochester (4-24)
Against
Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa (R-20)
Bill Weber of Luverne (R-21)