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Dems. want to increase state minimum wage

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Democratic lawmakers have introduced more legislation to raise Michigan's minimum wage to $10 an hour over three years. 

The current state minimum wage is $7.40 per hour.

The main sponsors of the legislation announced Thursday are Democratic Representatives John Switalksi of Warren and Rashida Tlaib of Detroit. They say raising the minimum wage would narrow income inequality and give residents "a chance at a better life." A similar bill was introduced by Senate Democrats in February.

The measures have not been embraced by Republicans who control the Legislature nor Republican Governor Rick Snyder. GOP legislative leaders say hiking the minimum wage would hurt employers' ability to hire people.

The current minimum wage last went up in 2008. 

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.