If voters give the seal of approval to Query 2 on the November poll, a $12-per-hour minimal wage might be enshrined within the state Structure.

However, wait, you ask: Isn’t the state already shifting to $12 per hour?

Technically, sure.

How we acquired right here: Laws handed in 2019 created a system of gradual minimal wage will increase by way of 2024 that may deliver the speed to $12 per hour for workers not supplied medical insurance and $11 per hour for many who do obtain these advantages. Because it stands now, Nevada’s minimal wage is $9.50 to $10.50 per hour, relying on the existence of medical insurance.

And that’s the place the excellence lies with this poll query. It began as Meeting Joint Decision 10 (AJR10), which lawmakers handed in 2019 and once more in 2021. As a proposed constitutional modification, placing the query earlier than voters marks the ultimate step within the course of.

What it does: Voter approval would set a flat price of $12 per hour — beginning July 1, 2024 — no matter medical insurance.

Query 2 would additionally make $12 an hour a constitutional minimal, that means the Legislature wouldn’t be capable to decrease the speed by itself. Decreasing it could require the passage of one other modification.

Right here’s how the mathematics works out: If an worker labored 40 hours per week all 12 months (52 weeks complete), she or he would earn $24,960 in gross earnings. However that’s seemingly a excessive estimate, given the improbability of somebody working that many hours each week of the 12 months.

Reward and criticism: The decision bumped into some opposition throughout the 2021 legislative session from conservative-leaning teams comparable to Nevada Households for Freedom and the state chapter of Individuals for Prosperity — the latter of which argued elevating the minimal wage forces firms to chop jobs. However the progressive group Battle Born Progress testified in assist, saying the medical insurance provision of the present regulation creates a loophole that enables employers to supply unaffordable insurance policy after which pay staff the decrease wage.

— This story was written by Nevada Unbiased’s Tim Lenard, Kristyn Leonard and Jackie Valley. It’s used with permission of The Nevada Unbiased. Go right here for updates to this and different tales.