This November will see the voters in at least six states - Az, Nv, Mt, Ok, Mo and Oh - vote on whether or not to increase their state mimimum wage.  Since most observers (and the polls) show that these increases will pass, the focus will then move toward how these increases are going to be enforced.  In some states the state AG has the power to enforce wage and hour violations although private law suits (that can generate legal fees) and state labor agency enforcement also exists - sometimes in conjunction with the AG and sometimes not.  When the voters approved an increase in November of 2004, the new law specifically included jurisdiction for the Fl. AG to enforce the law.

State AG's are universally considered their state's "chief law enforcement officer."  Armed with new laws and clear public support, look for AG's to step up to more wage and hour enforcement in the months and years to come.