BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho's local governments would be banned from increasing the minimum wage under legislation headed to the governor's desk.
The Idaho Senate voted 27-8 on Thursday to prohibit cities and counties from instituting ordinances to raise the minimum wage, while also banning similar ballot initiatives
Supporters argue that the measure is needed to protect businesses from checkerboard regulations across the state. However, currently no local government in Idaho has passed a higher minimum wage than the state level -- which is also the federal minimum wage -- despite a handful of attempts over the years.
The bill has gained wide support in the Republican-controlled Statehouse, but Democratic lawmakers counter that the legislation takes away local control.
