It has been more than a month since Arizona's minimum wage increased to ten dollars an hour. However, there is a group that was largely left out in the new law, college students.
More than 4,500 University of Arizona students are now earning $8.05, which was the previous minimum wage. The reason for that is when Prop 206 raised the minimum wage to $10, it exempted employees who work for the state, including universities.
The University of Arizona says that means a student who works approximately 20 hours a week for two semesters will sacrifice nearly $1,200 this year. But, the university believes that is not fair and is planning on changing that.
They provided us with the following statement:
"The University of Arizona is committed to remaining fiscally responsible with taxpayer money while also staying competitive in terms of employing students and workers. President hart has stated that the university will implement the $10 minimum wage on July 1, 2017, which is the beginning of the fiscal year for campus."
The minimum wage increase will cost the university about $6.6 million. President Hart also says the university also plans on matching the minimum wage in 2020 , that will raise to $12 an hour.
