The Milwaukee Common Council voted unanimously today to increase the city's minimum wage, hoping the go-it-alone move will prod state lawmakers to pass a statewide increase. The measure, which goes to Mayor Tom Barrett for his signature, would raise the minimum wage in the city in two steps, first from $5.15 an hour to $5.70 an hour as of Oct. 1. A year later, it would rise to $6.50 an hour. The steps are the same as those proposed nearly a year ago by a bipartisan commission appointed by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. That group's recommendations, based on a compromise among business and labor groups, have been stalled in the Republican-controlled Legislature, as GOP leaders have said the proposed increase is too high. This year, Madison raised its minimum wage to $5.70 an hour, with annual raises slated to put it at $7.75 by 2008. A coalition of business groups has challenged the increase in court, something many believe will also happen in Milwaukee once its increase is in place, if not before then. Barrett and supporters say the move is aimed at pushing state lawmakers to adopt a statewide wage increase, since few believe it is a good strategy to have a patchwork of wages across the state. Critics, though, say the city is simply shooting itself in the foot by adopting an approach that will make it more attractive for businesses paying the minimum wage to go elsewhere. Officials have said if a statewide increase is in place by Oct. 1, the city-only increase would be rescinded. [more]