Kentucky and New Mexico increase minimum wage

Kentucky and New Mexico will join 29 other states that have increased minimum wages above the federal rate of $5.15 per hour. 

Kentucky’s minimum wage will step up to $7.25 per hour using a three tier process over the next two years.  Beginning July 1, 2007 the minimum wage will increase to $5.85. The minimum wage will then increase to $6.55 beginning July 1, 2008, and will reach its $7.25 per hour goal beginning July 1, 2009. 

New Mexico’s minimum wage will increase to $6.50 per hour starting January 1, 2008, and then to $7.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2009.  New Mexico has allowed several occupations to be exempt from this new minimum wage provision.  Te occupations exempt are those “principally engaged in the range production of livestock or in milk production” and those “engaged in the handling, drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing or canning of any agricultural or horticultural commodity in its unmanufactured state.”

If you would like more information concerning state or federal employment law changes please contact StaffScapes, Inc. at (303)466-7864 or visit our website at www.staffscapes.com.