On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court unanimously upheld the constitutionality of Proposition 206. The Attorney General’s Office defended Prop 206.
The Arizona Supreme Court’s ordered:
Having heard oral argument in this matter on March 9, 2017, and considered the written submission of the parties and amici, the Court, by a unanimous vote, rejects Petitioners’ challenges to the constitutionality of Proposition 206 and therefore denies the requested special action relief. A written opinion further explaining the Court’s decision will issue in due course.
Petitioners’ request for an award of attorney fees is denied.
Attorney General Mark Brnovich tweeted:
BREAKING: AZ Supreme Court unanimously upholds Prop 206. Our office will continue to fight for the will of Arizona voters. pic.twitter.com/yM3QPyLj19
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) March 15, 2017
Rep. Mark Cardenas tweeted:
Prop 206 is upheld! Great victory
— Mark Cardenas (@RepMarkCardenas) March 15, 2017
Big Victory for working families and Arizona voters! https://t.co/deYI7n9ZkC
— Rebecca Rios (@Rios_Rebecca) March 15, 2017
Arizona Chamber of Commerce issued a statement:
“We appreciate the state Supreme Court considering the constitutionality of Proposition 206. While we’re disappointed that the result did not go our way, we respect the Court’s ruling. Lawmakers and the governor can now craft a state budget that considers the law’s impact on state revenues, and employers can calibrate their operations with the understanding that the minimum wage and paid leave law will stand.”
In December 2016, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and two employees of the Valle Luna restaurant chain sued the State of Arizona, the Industrial Commission of Arizona, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona Department of Administration, and the Arizona State Procurement Office to block the minimum wage increase.
The chambers of commerce opposed the voter approved Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, which mandates raising the minimum wage to $10 in 2017, and then incrementally to $12 by 2020, and creating a right to paid sick time off from employment.
Prior to its passage, opponents of Prop 206 argued that Arizona’s minimum wage law already allows for annual hourly wage increases that are far above the federal minimum wage. They noted that the minimum wage laws have negative economic consequences and often hurt those most that they are intended to help.