Minimum wage increases take effect in Minneapolis and St. Paul

The minimum wage in both Minneapolis and St. Paul increase Thursday.

Driving the news: Both cities passed phased ordinances that will eventually bring a $15 minimum wage.

• Minneapolis is moving faster than St. Paul.

Why it matters: For thousands of workers, it means an extra 75 cents or $1 in their pocket every hour.

How it works: In Minneapolis, companies with 100 or fewer employees will have to pay $12.50 an hour, an increase of 75 cents.

• Those with more than 100 workers have to pay $14.25 an hour, a $1 hike.

In St. Paul, there's a four-tier schedule.

• Businesses with more than 10,000 employees will stay at $12.50 an hour.
• Those with 101 to 10,000 employees will go from $11.50 to $12.50.
• Businesses with six to 100 employees will jump from $10 to $11.
• Micro-businesses with five or fewer workers will go from $9.25 to $10 an hour.