SOMERS - Some local college students have a mixed reaction to a proposal to raise the minimum wage in Wisconsin.

A bill that would raise the state minimum wage from $6.50 to $7.25 an hour, would index it at the rate of inflation annually, received a hearing Wednesday by an assembly committee. The Senate companion bill was passed Jan. 15.

The federal minimum wage is increasing to $7.25 in July 2009, but does not include the

inflation index.

Caleb Butler, 26, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, said he thought the minimum wage increase would be good for Wisconsin families.

"It would put more money in the economy," Butler said. "Every little bit helps."

But Matthew Marshall, 22, a senior at Parkside, said he does not think the increase would be a good idea unless there were some checks and balances built in to counter potential negative economic effects.

"Usually wage increases are a bad thing because most businesses hate it," Marshall said.

Martel Pipkins, 20, works in a minimum-wage job at media services at UW-Parkside, where he is a junior. He said he sees no downside to the proposed increase.

"I hope that bill passes," Pipkins said. "I think it would be lovely."

The minimum wage rate is especially important to adolescents and young adults when inflation is taken into account, said Ryan Young, 28, a Parkside senior.

"It's important to change with the times," Young said.

Whitney Olson, 19, a freshman at Parkside, earns $7.25 at her job at an Oconomowoc grocery store. It took her five years to get up to that amount through raises, she said. An increase of $1.25 would make a big difference, she said.

"It's hard for people our age to get jobs to begin with," Olson said.

However, Zack Fredericks, 22, a Parkside senior, pointed out a rate increase could make a difference in the taxes paid by workers.

"Any increase is going to make an impact," Fredericks said. "I think you should look at everyone's situation first."