Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday the Minimum Wage Advisory Council voted 16-2 to increase the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.70 per hour in 2004 and $6.50 per hour in 2005, making it the first increase of the minimum wage since 1997.
Doyle called the vote \a long overdue increase in minimum wage for thousands of people in Wisconsin who work day after day and earn the least among us.""
The council was comprised of leaders from the business community, labor organizations, the University of Wisconsin System and the state Legislature. In the proposal, the first increase will be effective Oct. 1, 2004 and the second on Oct. 1, 2005.
Doyle said he was proud the council worked together and came to such a strong vote, adding the minimum wage debate is a divisive issue.
Sandy Torkildson, president of the Greater State Street Business Association, said if the proposal passes the Legislature, it will not affect area businesses, since many already pay a starting wage of $7 per hour.
She added a state minimum wage increase is preferable to a city increase, because it reduces competition with surrounding businesses in Middleton.
""It at least gives us a level playing field,"" she said.
Ald. Austin King, District 8, who has campaigned for a minimum wage increase in the Common Council, said the recommendation still has a ways to go before it takes effect.
It still is an uphill battle, because it has to get past state Rep. John Gard, R-Peshtigo, and Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, he said.
""It will stay stagnant and become irrelevant quickly, if it ever was relevant,"" he said.
King added the recommended proposal falls short of what is needed. He said it does not include an index for inflation, meaning Wisconsin could find itself in the same situation in four years.
He added the Common Council's minimum wage proposal would include an index increase for inflation, so it will stay relevant.
""In no way does it undercut our argument,"" he said of the fair wage campaign in Common Council. ""We desire and ought to have a minimum wage above $6.50.\
