Proposed Bill for Increase in Arkansas Minimum Wage

$7.25 is the federal minimum wage, but in Arkansas, some employers are legally allowed to pay their employees $6.25 an hour, but Arkansas state representative Butch Wilkins is fighting to change that to $8.25 an hour and explains why.
 
"I'm doing this strictly for Arkansas families. There are hard working families out there that are trying to make ends meet."
 
Specifically Wilkins wants the minimum wage increase to help lessen the burden on folks at the grocery store.
 
"One lady I asked her if she had trouble buying food and she said well her kids never went to bed hungry but she had and so I just think more money, it's a benefit to the families."
 
Of course if this bill passes, not everyone will be pleased including employers.
 
"I have talked to several local businesses up here and I've had a few that have complained about it, but most are pretty well going along with it. I think the benefits to families will outweigh it."
 
While Wilkins feels the bill is necessary, he realizes it will be a tough one to pass. It will go before a state committee later on this month and if it passes, the bill will go into effect in July.  Brea Douglas, NBC10 News.