Kansas House Rejects Minimum Wage Hike

The Kansas House has rejected an increase in the state's minimum wage.

The state's minimum wage is $2.65 per hour, which is the lowest in the nation. Supporters attempted to increase the minimum wage to $5.15 per hour, the same as the federal rate.

The state minimum wage affects about 19,000 workers, most of them are agricultural workers.

Kansas is the only state with a minimum wage lower than federal rate. It hasn't increased since 1988.

Kentucky House Passes Minimum Wage Increase

The Kentucky House of Representatives approved a bill to raise the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour over the next two years.

The bill was passed 89-10 and then sent to the Senate consideration.

Under the bill, the state minimum wage will rise to $5.85 per hour this year, followed by an increase to $6.55 per hour beginning July 1, 2008 and $7.25 per hour in 2009.

Kentucky's minimum wage hasn't increased for 10 years.

Wal-Mart Settles Racial Harassment Lawsuit

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer chain, has agreed to pay $125,000 to settle a racial harassment and retaliation lawsuit.

On behalf of Travis Woods, a night maintenance supervisor at a Lewiston, Idaho, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the lawsuit , claiming he endured two years of racial harassment in the form of epithets and graffiti and was then fired after he complained to managers.

Wal-mart also agreed to train managers, supervisors and employees about prohibited racial harassment. It will also reports its handling of discrimination and harassment complaints for two years.

Senate Passes Federal Minimum Wage Hike

For the first time of last 10 years, the U.S. Senate on passeda bill to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25an hour over the next two years, accompanied by tax cuts forsmall businesses and limits on corporate pay.

President Bush praised the Senate version of the bill andencouraged the House to accept it. He said in a statement, "TheSenate has taken a step toward helping maintain a strong anddynamic labor market and promoting continued economic growth."

29 states have a minimum wage above the current federal level,and seven of them are above $7.25 an hour.

The increase would affect about 13 million workers, addingnearly $4,400 to a minimum-wage worker’s annual income.

Minimum wage hike also requires employers update their labor law poster accordingly.