On Thursday, Feb. 5, the minimum wage for workers aged 14 to 15 was lowered from $15 an hour to $13.50 following the passage of Legislative Bill 258 by the Nebraska Legislature, according to Nebraska Public Media. Workers ages 16 to 19 can continue to earn a reduced minimum wage during a 90-day training period. 

The change comes after a statewide minimum wage increase in 2022, when voters approved raising the wage to $15 an hour as of Jan. 1, 2023. 

NPR quoted Sen. Jane Raybould, the bill’s sponsor, saying the lower wage will help businesses hire young people. 

“Early work experiences teach responsibility, time management and the basics of showing up and doing the job. If we want young people to develop strong work ethic and practical skills, we have to make sure they have safe, appropriate opportunities to take those first steps into the workforce,” she said. 

About 24% of Creighton University’s student body is from Nebraska. While the bill doesn’t directly impact most students, RJ Stefka, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences and a graduate of North Platte High School, expressed disapproval of the wage reduction. 

“I think that if you are performing at the same level as the people around you, you deserve to be paid the same amount of money,” Stefka said. 

Stefka worked extensively as a teenager, moving from a pharmacy clerk in high school to a pharmacy technician at age 18. 

However, the wage adjustment is aimed at situations like those described by Sen. Stan Clouse, a bill supporter, who cited experiences with small businesses. He said owners did not want to pay high school workers minimum wage just to “come in and be told three times to empty out the trash.” 

LB258 is expected to take effect in July.