Democrats Attend Community Hearing In Milwaukee On Minimum Wage

At least eight Democratic state lawmakers will be at a community hearing Tuesday night in Milwaukee on a bill that attempts to raise Wisconsin’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The legislators say it won’t be an official session, because Republicans who control the state Capitol won’t hold a hearing on the measure. But Rep. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, said it’s still important to hear from low-wage workers.

“As government, we have a role to make sure people are not stuck and left to fend for themselves on poverty wages, where they cannot reinvest back into their family, reinvest back into their future,” he said.

Gov. Scott Walker has said he’s trying to improve education and training, so people can earn more than the minimum wage. Bowen, however, said he doubts whether everyone can be helped through those efforts.