Sebelius Signs A Bill Raising The State’s Minimum Wage

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has signed a bill raising the state’s minimum wage, which has been the lowest in the nation.

The new law will take effect Jan. 1, when the minimum wage will rise to $7.25 an hour from the current $2.65.

After signing the bill Thursday, Sebelius called the change “long overdue.” Fellow Democrats and others have been pushing for an increase for more than 20 years.

Most of Kansas’ 1.5 million workers are covered by the federal minimum wage, which is $6.55 an hour and due to rise to $7.25 in July.

State officials estimate that between 17,000 and 20,000 Kansans fall under the state’s law, though some legislators are skeptical anyone actually works for as little as $2.65 an hour.