News

Ohio AG: Cities Cant’ Set Higher Minimum Wage Than State’s

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to

CINCINNATI (AP) – Ohio’s attorney general says cities can’t set a minimum wage higher than what the state has set.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Thursday issued his opinion after a request by the Hamilton County prosecutor in Cincinnati. Prosecutor Joseph Deters had asked for DeWine’s opinion on whether businesses would be subject to a minimum wage hike in cities when the General Assembly already has set the state minimum wage.

Cincinnati City Council voted in April to increase Cincinnati’s minimum wage for full-time city workers and contractors to at least $15 per hour. Cleveland officials are debating a similar proposal.

Ohio’s minimum wage is currently $8.10 an hour.

An attorney general opinion isn’t binding. But it’s often cited in lawsuits brought over issues related to state law and the Constitution.