South Dakota's minimum wage is now at $8.50, but that could change if you're under the age of 18.

The minimum wage increase came as a result of the November 4 election, where a majority of South Dakota voters raised the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour with an annual inflation adjustment.

On Wednesday state senators agreed 26-7 to create a new $7.50 minimum wage for people younger than age 18.

David Novstrup, a Republican from Aberdeen who is a key sponsor of the new proposal said he doesn’t think it subverts the decision made by voters in the Nov. 4 election. A majority of South Dakota voters raised the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour with an annual inflation adjustment.

According to Novstrup, "We need to ensure young people are getting on the ladder of opportunity, because right now, it is moving away from them.”

Sen. Bernie Hunhoff, Democrat from Yankton, disagrees.

Hunhoff says, “A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay is the value I learned.” “Let’s think long and hard before we just change the way we do business here in South Dakota.”

Novstrup and other sponsors of the proposal met resistance during the Senate debate from opponents.

The argument is that employers might replace older workers with younger workers who receive the lower wage, and there are already three provisions to pay students lower wages.

Novstrup said he doubts any business would reduce wages.

“They would lose their whole workforce overnight if that happened,” according to Novstrup.

Senate Bill 177 will now move on to the House of Representatives.

Source: Aberdeen News

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