While employees making minimum wage in the executive branch of state government are cheering Gov. Steve Beshear’s decision to bump their pay to $10.10 an hour through executive order Monday, the change could be short-lived if the next governor decides to scrap the action.
Democratic nominee Jack Conway has expressed support for wage increases in the past, but Republican gubernatorial hopeful Matt Bevin has opposed it, even going further to question the constitutionality of the federal government’s minimum wage setting powers.
Still, Gov. Beshear says he believes reversing the order would not engender any love for the next governor.
"I don't think it matters who is elected next in terms of this issue, because when you've got Kentuckians by a two-to-one majority supporting an increase in the minimum wage, I think that this is going to stand," he said during the signing at the Kentucky Horse Park Monday, adding, "I think it's only a matter of time until we raise it statewide."
Efforts launched in the state House to raise the minimum wage statewide over the last two years have died in the Republican-controlled Senate – where GOP leaders have cautioned against adding to costs for local businesses in a still-uncertain economic climate.
Beshear’s executive order will come with a $1.6 million dollar price tag in the next fiscal year.
