LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska waiters and waitresses will continue to make the same hourly wage they earned in 1991.

Lawmakers voted 18-27 Tuesday against a measure by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist that would gradually increase the hourly wage for tipped workers until it reached 50 percent of the minimum wage, or about $4.50.

Nordquist says tipped workers need more stability than the federal minimum of $2.13. Thirty-two other states have higher tipped minimum wages than Nebraska.

Opponents say the bill would create burdens for small restaurants, and federal law already requires employers to make up the difference if employee tips fall short of the regular minimum wage.

Voters approved a higher minimum wage last year through a ballot measure after a proposed increase failed in the Legislature.  The bill is LB 494

By: Associated Press