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Nevada Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2016)
| Nevada Minimum Wage Increase Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Amendment |
| Origin | Citizens |
| Topic | Minimum wage |
| Status | Not on the ballot |
| Not on Ballot |
|---|
 |
| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
The Minimum Wage Increase Initiative was an initiated constitutional amendment proposed for the Nevada ballot on November 8, 2016. It was withdrawn by its sponsor and did not appear on the ballot.[1]
The state's minimum wage would have raised from $7.25 to $9.25 per hour, then increased annually by the following increments:[2]
- $10 by 2020
- $10.75 by 2021
- $11.50 by 2022
- $12.25 by 2023
- $13 by 2024
By 2025, and for all subsequent years, the minimum wage would have been adjusted based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.[2]
In Nevada, initiated constitutional amendments need to be approved in two even-numbered election years, meaning the measure would have needed to be approved in 2016, then again in 2018 to be added to the Nevada Constitution.
Text of measure
Constitutional changes
The measure would have amended Article XV, Section 16 of the Nevada Constitution.
Full text
The full text of the measure can be found here.
Fiscal impact
The Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau released the following financial impact statement on December 9, 2015:[3]
| “ | The Nevada Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (Initiative) proposes to amend Article 15, Section 16 of the Nevada Constitution to increase the statewide minimum wage from $7.25 per hour (or $8.25 for persons who are not offered health insurance) to $9.25 per hour, effective upon the effective date of the amendment. The hourly rate will increase to $10.00 per hour on January 1, 2020; $10.75 per hour on January 1, 2021; $11.50 per hour on January 1, 2022; $12.25 per hour on January 1, 2023; and $13.00 per hour on January 1, 2024. On January 1, 2025, and for all subsequent years, the minimum wage is adjusted by a formula based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index, as specified in the Initiative.
The Fiscal Analysis Division is working with potentially affected agencies to obtain information that will allow for the completion of the statement of the financial impact of the Initiative and is unable to complete the financial impact statement within the ten business days prescribed pursuant to NRS 295.015. A fiscal note that includes an explanation of any financial impact will be provided to the Secretary of State when completed for posting on their Internet website, pursuant to NRS 295.015.[4] |
” |
Support
The Committee to Raise the Minimum Wage in Nevada led support for the initiative.[5]
Supporters
- Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada[6]
Arguments in favor
Rev. Neal Anderson of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada, an officer of the Committee to Raise the Minimum Wage in Nevada, said,[7]
| “ | All labor has dignity and therefore we need to value that work. At some point we need to change policy as well, not just provide charity, which is never enough.[4] | ” |
Opposition
Arguments against
Victor Joecks, executive vice president of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, argued:[7]
| “ | If enacted, the proposed minimum wage increase would kill jobs for teenagers, inexperienced workers and people who are re-entering the workforce.[4] | ” |
Kristin McMillan, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, said,[6]
| “ | This initiative would change Nevada's business climate and send the wrong message to employers who want to hire workers and create jobs.[4] | ” |
The Las Vegas Review-Journal published an editorial stating:[8]
| “ | This is the problem with minimum wage increases — they price right out of the market people who most need work experience. At best, employers hold the line on hiring, but more likely cut back and even look to automate more jobs. Then the minimum wage for many workers isn't just the $8.25 right now in Nevada. It's zero. Those asked to sign petitions for the ballot initiative should keep that firmly in mind before doing so...[4] | ” |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Nevada signature requirements
- The Nevada Secretary of State received the petition on November 23, 2015.[2]
- A financial impact statement was issued on December 9, 2015.[3]
- A total of 55,234 valid signatures are required for qualification purposes.
- Supporters had until June 21, 2016, to collect the required signatures.
- The petition was withdrawn by its sponsor and did not appear on the ballot.[1]
Lawsuit
Attorneys filed a challenge against the initiative on behalf of the Committee to Preserve Nevada Jobs. The challenge claimed the initiative explanation was misleading because it did not state that employers were subject to triple damages if they violate minimum wage laws. District Judge James Wilson rejected the arguments on January 20, 2016, finding the explanation was "succinct, non-argumentative and not misleading."[6]
Related measures
See Minimum wage laws ballot measures for other statewide minimum wage ballot measures and click here for Ballotpedia's articles on local minimum wage measures.
State profile
| Demographic data for Nevada | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 2,883,758 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 109,781 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 69% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 8.4% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 7.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 1.1% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.6% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 4.4% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 27.5% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 85.1% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 23% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $51,847 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 17.8% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Nevada. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Nevada
Nevada voted for the Democratic candidate in four out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More Nevada coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Nevada
- United States congressional delegations from Nevada
- Public policy in Nevada
- Endorsers in Nevada
- Nevada fact checks
- More...
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nevada Secretary of State, "2016 petitions," accessed March 28, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nevada Secretary of State, "Initiative Petition - Constitutional Amendment," accessed January 6, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nevada Secretary of State, "FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE NEVADA MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE INITIATIVE," accessed January 6, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Nevada Secretary of State, "PAC Registration Form," accessed January 6, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Judge gives go-ahead for ballot measure to raise Nevada's minimum wage," January 20, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Washington Times, "Ballot proposal seeks to raise Nevada minimum wage to $13," November 24, 2015
- ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal, "EDITORIAL: Proposed minimum wage hike a youth jobs killer," February 7, 2016
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