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House Committee Votes To Approve Youth Minimum Wage Measure

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A state House committee has approved a proposal to exempt youth from the minimum wage hike to $8.50 per hour that voters approved in November.

The House Commerce and Energy Committee on Wednesday voted 11-2 for the plan, which would carve out a $7.50 youth minimum wage.

Republican Sen. David Novstrup says the evidence shows that states with a higher minimum wage also have higher youth unemployment.

His proposal would affect people under age 18, and the $7.50 youth wage wouldn’t be subject to future cost-of-living increases.

Novstrup says the discussion around the ballot proposal that passed in November didn’t specifically highlight younger workers.

Opponents say that the proposal goes against the hike that voters approved. They say it treats younger workers differently.