“We applaud this ruling, since it will help 45,000 workers in Jefferson County pay for necessities such as food, housing and clothing,” Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, said. “The judge’s ruling clearly says that current state law only creates a floor for wages that is tied to the federal minimum wage. That means cities are more than welcome to increase their wages as they see fit. Because of that, we encourage other cities to follow Louisville’s lead and pass minimum wage ordinances and for state lawmakers to enact a statewide increase in 2016.”