*By Andrew Cleves
On December 19, 2016, Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 331 into law, which prohibits local governments from setting a minimum wage rate higher than the state rate. In effect, this law nullifies the upcoming Cleveland minimum wage increase ballot initiative. Cleveland voters are set to vote on a minimum wage increase on May 2, 2017. Under that proposal, the minimum wage rate in Cleveland would increase from $8.10 per hour to $12.00 per hour in January 2018. Then, the rate would increase another $1 per hour for three years, until it reached $15.00 per hour. Therefore, at least for now, this legislation likely ends attempts to raise the minimum wage rate in Cleveland.
*Andrew Cleves practices in all areas of employment and labor law. If you have questions about Senate Bill 331, Cleveland’s minimum wage increase ballot initiative, or Ohio’s wage and hour laws, please contact Andrew (ajc@zrlaw.com) at 216.696.4441.
