Kentucky lawmaker pushes for higher minimum wage to lift workers above poverty line

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Those making the federal minimum wage in Kentucky fall below the poverty line.

That's according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. Dustin Pugel, the center's policy director, said the $7.25 minimum wage is so low, employers don't really even hire at that wage anymore.

According to Pugel, the state's wage earnings fall below the poverty line with purchasing power at a 75-year low.

"It's obviously something that we're concerned about because there's really no wage floor anymore for Kentucky workers," he told LEX18 News.

That's why Kentucky Sen. Reggie Thomas is renewing his call for a minimum wage for Kentuckians.

"I want to move people out of poverty, I want to see Kentuckians go to work," Thomas, D-Lexington, said. "I'm going to continue to be a voice for that and I'm going to push for that, and I'm sure members of my party are going to push for that, but this should be a bipartisan effort."

Twenty-two states have not raised their minimum wage above the federal rate, including Kentucky and Indiana. Washington state has the highest minimum wage at $16.66 an hour.

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