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Judge Mulls Suit's Bid to Block St. Louis Minimum Wage Boost

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A judge is weighing a business-backed lawsuit's bid to stop the city of St. Louis from gradually raising its minimum wage.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer heard two hours of arguments Tuesday over the lawsuit's request for a permanent injunction that would stop the scheduled increase of hourly minimum wage. An increase of 60 cents to eight dollars and 25 cents is set to begin October 15.

Ohmer did not offer a timeframe on a ruling but said he would decide quickly.

Mayor Francis Slay signed a measure in late August that would raise the minimum wage in the city to 11 dollars an hour by 2018.

Groups that include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce are suing, challenging the legality of St. Louis' actions and insisting the increase would hurt business.

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