Arizona Supreme Court justices had tough questions for proponents and opponents of the state's voter-approved minimum wage increase as they weighed whether increased state costs invalidate the measure.
Thursday's arguments come more than two months after low-wage earners in the state saw their pay increase to a minimum $10 per hour from $8.05.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other business groups argued that higher state costs for elderly and disabled care trigger a state Constitutional provision requiring a new funding source.
But the attorney general and backers of Proposition 206 say the higher costs aren't mandated because they go to contractors.
Justices questioned how voters could ever pass an initiative without states costs and how the higher spending isn't required. A ruling is expected "in due course."
