OMAHA— The Omaha City Council voted 4-3 to approve an ordinance keeping the city's minimum wage at $15 per hour for all workers, mirroring a similar ordinance adopted by Lincoln. The measure rejects changes made by the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year, which created a $13.50 minimum wage for workers under age 16 and capped future minimum wage increases at 1.75% annually instead of tying them to inflation.

Supporters, led by Council President Danny Begley, argued the ordinance honors the will of Omaha voters, who overwhelmingly approved the 2022 ballot initiative raising the minimum wage to $15 for all workers. Opponents, including Councilmembers Aimee Melton and Don Rowe, contended the city lacks the legal authority to adopt a policy that conflicts with state law and argued Omaha should have waited for the outcome of the state's lawsuit challenging Lincoln's nearly identical ordinance.

The vote comes as Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers seeks to block Lincoln's ordinance in court. A judge has not yet ruled on the state's request for an injunction, meaning the legal battle over whether cities can maintain higher local minimum wage standards is expected to continue.

Click HERE for the full article