A minimum wage increase in St. Louis was set to take effect today, but a circuit judge on Wednesday struck down the city’s minimum wage law. Judge Steven Ohmer issued the ruling and said raising the wage was “unenforceable and in conflict” with current state law that sets the minimum wage at $7.65.
Judge Steven Ohmer, Photo courtesy of 22nd Circuit Court
A consortium of groups sued last month to block implementation of the increase, arguing action on the proposal conflicted with existing state law, exceeded the city’s authority under its charter and was improperly enacted.
The city’s minimum wage was set to rise today to $8.25 an-hour and increase to $11 an-hour by 2018.
During the Legislature’s veto session last month, lawmakers voted to overturn Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of a bill that tells cities they can’t set a greater minimum wage than the state.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay supported the city law and the city plans to appeal the ruling.