Minnesota's Minimum Wage Jumps on August 1

Minnesota's minimum wage makes its second jump to $9 an hour on August 1, 2015--on its way to $9.50 August, 2016.  The small employer, youth worker and training wage moves to $7.25 an hour, effective this August.

The current wage is $8 per hour for large employers and $6.50 per hour for small employers, unless the small employers are subject to higher federal hourly minimum wage of $7.25.  Employers are considered "large" if they have at least $500,000 in annual gross revenues.  The $7.25 training wage applies to a  worker under 20 years of age for their first 90 days for work.  The $7.25 youth wage is designed for workers under 18 years and not covered by federal law.  In addition, there is a J1-V non-immigrant visa rate of $7.50 per hour effective August 1, 2015.

The last scheduled increase takes place one year from now on August 1, 2016, when the large employer rate goes to $9.50 an hour and the small employer, youth, and training wages go to $7.75 an hour.  Beginning January 1, 2018, automatic increases in all the minimum wage levels will be indexed to inflation as calculated by the implicit price deflator.  Increases will be capped at 2.5 percent per year and take effect each August.

Cybersecurity Essentials: Is Your Business Protected?

Cybersecurity has emerged as a top priority for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In an interconnected world, economic security, and national security are linked. The Minnesota Chamber in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Bank, will host "Cybersecurity Essentials: Is your Business Protected?" on Wednesday, September 16 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis to address this important business issue. The Minnesota Chamber and U.S. Chamber are pleased to present this program as part of the U.S. Chamber's "2015 Cybersecurity Campaign: Improving Today. Protecting Tomorrow."