Lawmakers at the state capital have begun holding public hearings on a bill that would increase the state's minimum wage to $10.55 an hour by August of 2015.
              
Democrat Ryan Winkler, who chairs the House Select Committee on Minimum Wage Jobs, says an increase would be a boon to the state's economy.  Under the measure the minimum wage would be increased in three steps. After 2015, future increases would be pegged to inflation, which would automatically boost it without legislative votes.
              
Minnesota's current minimum wage is $6.15 an hour, though many workers automatically receive the higher federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.