Arizona Supreme Court rejects bid to block minimum wage hike

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court rejected a bid Thursday by business leaders to temporarily block the minimum wage hike voters approved in the fall.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce had been pushing the high court to block the pay raise. The group said that even though Proposition 206 exempted state employees from the pay bump, the state will still have to boost pay for health care and social services contractors.

Prop. 206 moved the hourly minimum wage from $8.05 to $12 per hour by 2020. The base wage will rise to $10 an hour next year.

Opponents also argued supporters of the measure didn’t include a new funding source, which is required under the state Constitution.

The Chamber noted the measure illegally added a second part requiring employers to include sick time and that violated rules.

Gov. Doug Ducey had filed a friend of the court brief Wednesday urging the court to block the measure.

The governor’s spokesman, Daniel Scarpinato, said the office will review the court order.

“We are going to continue to work through the budget numbers and ensure that our agencies are complying with the law as it stands,” Scarpinato said.

A trial judge had rejected both arguments last week in a ruling. The Chamber was appealing that decision.

Other business organizations challenging the measure’s constitutionality were the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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