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ST. PAUL (AP) Lawmakers say they have settled on a plan to raise Minnesota's Minimum Wage this summer and next.

Under the plan, the bottom hourly wage for workers at large employers would go up 60 cents to $6.75 in July and climb another dollar a year later. Businesses with annual sales above $625,000 are considered large employers.

Smaller employers would have to pay workers at least $5.75 an hour beginning this July and $6.75 by July 2009. The current minimum wage for them is $5.25 per hour.

The agreement also raises the state's training wage, which applies to teenage employees who are on the job for 90 days or less.

The Legislature could ratify the proposal this week, but it's not clear where Governor Tim Pawlenty stands on the legislative agreement. Negotiators removed a provision he didn't like that would allow the wage to rise automatically in future years.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-07-08 0946CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list