Panel wants to pre-empt wage hike

On a party-line vote, the House Business Committee has agreed to introduce “state pre-emption” legislation proposed by the Idaho Retailers Association to ban any local ballot initiatives or ordinances to raise the minimum wage above the state minimum. Pam Eaton, president and CEO of the retailers group and the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association, said, “This is not a discussion on minimum wage and if it should be increased or not. This is a discussion on the damage that checkerboard regulations do to businesses and also the economy of the state of Idaho”/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.