Chamber groups sue to block initiative on Nevada wage vote

A group backed by chambers of commerce in Las Vegas and Reno is suing to stop signature-gathering for a voter initiative to raise Nevada’s hourly minimum wage to $13 over the next decade.

The Committee to Preserve Nevada Jobs said in an announcement Wednesday it wants a state court judge in Carson City to stop a petition aimed at getting the wage hike on the 2016 statewide ballot.

The committee represents the Las Vegas Metro Chamber, the Las Vegas Latin Chamber, and the Chamber of Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada.

It argues the law, if passed, would impose “outrageous penalties” on Nevada employers and small businesses.

A group called the Committee to Raise the Minimum Wage in Nevada filed a petition in November to collect signatures to put the issue before voters.