By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal

Alabama Rep. Darrio Melton wants to pass a bill that would give Alabamians making minimum wage a pay raise.

The bill, which will bump the rate of minimum wage to $9.80, was introduced last year as House Bill 279, where it died in committee. Melton is introducing the bill again this year.

“We are one in five states who don’t have a state minimum wage, which is counterproductive to workers. If the federal government would remove the federal minimum wage, there would be no minimum wage the state of Alabama would be upheld to,” Melton said.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Other states with no minimum wage are Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

If the bill were to pass the Alabama Legislature it would be put up for a statewide referendum.

The legislature shouldn’t have total control over what the minimum wage rate should be, Melton said. He believes Alabamians should be able to decide whether or not they think the states needs an increase in minimum wage.

“The bill we’re passing is saying this is what we would like the minimum wage to be,” Melton said. “The only way it can be $9.80 is the people at the polls have to vote that they support these efforts.”

The bill comes on the heels of news this week that retailer Wal-Mart would increase its minimum wage in the U.S. to $9 an hour this April and then to $10 next year.

Melton said his bill would reward hard-working employees and improve the economy.

“We can put money back into the state’s economy through sales taxes and payroll taxes, which in the long term helps give our kids a better shot at an education,” Melton said.