The Senate has passed a bill prohibiting cities and counties from establishing their own “living wage” requirement for businesses.
Sen. Randy Burckhard (R-Minot) said cities in other states have set their own minimum wage requirements that are higher than the federal or state minimums. Burckhard said what has happened in those cities should be a warning to North Dakota.
"Mandated higher minimum wages usually results in layoffs, less hours worked and more automation," Burkhard said.
Opponents of the bill said this is a decision that belongs at the local level.
"I would hope that we would allow the cities the latitude to say for themselves how they want to handle this subject, rather than us slamming the door, and saying, 'Super-Father up here says you can't do that,'" said Sen. Jim Dotzenrod (D-Wyndmere).
The bill passed 35 to 11. It had earlier passed the House, so it is on its way to Gov. Doug Burgum.
