By Associated Press
UNDATED – Wisconsin's minimum wage would increase $1.10 per hour under a bill passed by the State Senate. Republicans and a variety of business groups oppose the increase, which they say would put people out of work and hurt companies that don't have enough money to pay higher wages. Democrats who support it say it will put more money in the pockets of workers who are barely getting by. If passed by the assembly and signed into law, it would take effect in June. The State Department of Workforce Development says about 225,000 workers would be affected by the increase from $6.50 to $7.60 an hour. Wisconsin is one of 6 states with a minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.