State Sen. Reggie Thomas pre-files minimum wage bill

State Sen. Reggie Thomas has pre-filed a bill to raise Kentucky's minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Thomas, a Democrat from Lexington, pre-filed Bill Request 302 Tuesday. The bill calls for gradually raising the minimum wage over the next seven years. Wages would be raised to $15 an hour by July 2026.

Sen. Thomas noted Arkansas just enacted a $12 minimum wage. He said if Arkansas can do it, it's time for Kentucky to do the same.

"We need to make sure that everyone has a livable wage," Thomas said.

The 2019 General Assembly convenes Jan. 8.