Two lawmakers want to increase minimum wage to $15 by 2027

Two Democratic state lawmakers have pre-filed legislation to increase Kentucky’s minimum wage to $15 within eight years.

The bills are being championed by Senator Reggie Thomas and Representative Kathy Hinkle and will be up for consideration during next year’s session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

A news release says they aim to raise the minimum wage with staggered increases over the next seven years, bringing minimum wage up to $15 an hour by 2027. The bills would also allow for individual cities to enact their own minimum wage.

Senator Thomas is quoted as saying, “We have witnessed record economic growth and job availability, yet workers’ wages have remained stagnant for over a decade. We need to ensure that everyone has a livable, dignified wage to provide for their family.”