The Senate Labor Committee today voted not to advance Senate Bill 173, Sen. Gary Carter’s measure to establish a state minimum wage.

“Establishing a minimum wage of $10 an hour would put pressure on employers to boost all salaries,” NFIB State Director Leah Long told the committee. “If that happens, employers will be forced to make tough choices in order to keep people employed and make their bottom line work in an already unpredictable economy.”

She warned lawmakers that established a state minimum wage above the federal wage would force employers to make tough decisions such as reducing work hours or leaving some positions open to reduce operating costs.

“Instead of raising the minimum wage, we should focus on workforce development,” giving people the skills they need to do well in the workforce, she said.