HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn. — A Hennepin County committee has unanimously passed a measure that would raise the minimum wage to $20 for its government workforce.
In a release, a Hennepin County spokesperson wrote that the change would impact more than 400 members of its lower wage workforce.
For the measure to be adopted, it must pass by a full vote of the Hennepin County Board during their meeting on March 23.
The measure was introduced by County Board Chair Marion Greene, who cites rent burdened households, a struggling lower wage workforce, and historically disadvantaged groups as cause for action.
“The combination of low wages and high rent keeps upward economic mobility for our residents out of reach," Greene said in the release. "An hourly wage increase has the ability to immediately impact the well-being of county employees at the lower end of our pay scales. This is about money in people’s pockets."
Green considers the current $15 wage too low, particularly disadvantaging historically marginalized communities - including women, people of color and those with disabilities.
Hennepin County claims that about one-third of households within the county are "housing cost burdened," paying over 30% in housing costs relative to their overall income - with over 41,000 residents paying over half.
While the move would only impact Hennepin County's government workforce, they are hoping the move will encourage other employers in the community to seek internal wage increases as well.
“This is one step the county can take as an employer, but it isn’t a complete solution. I hope that other employers in the region follow our example," says Greene.
Hennepin County Administrator David Hough, outlined a concurring narrative. "This is just one part of a larger regional problem we need to solve. We need regional employers to look at wages to help be a part of this solution.”
If adopted, Hennepin County says the new measure would go into effect on March 28.
The local administration says the measure would not have any impact on pay ranges across its various job classifications.
