Emmer to Talk Tip Credit With Servers

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Tom Emmer, the GOP-endorsed candidate for Minnesota governor, is holding a town hall meeting with servers in the hospitality next Wednesday to hear their concerns over wages, tips, taxes and health care

Emmer met with business owners around Minnesota this week, including Joe Kasel, owner of the Eagle Street Grille in St. Paul. According to a Star Tribune report Tuesday, Kasel told Emmer three of the restaurant’s servers “take home over $100,000 a year.”

Kasel then told Star Tribune columnist Jon Tevlin that Emmer's quote was "manipulated" by the media, then changed that to "misquoted."

"He didn't say anything wrong," Kasel told Tevlin. “"I don't want people thinking we have people making $100,000 a year here, because we don't. No way, shape or form did I [tell Emmer] anyone made $100,000."

Emmer said Wednesday’s town hall meeting with servers will take the tip credit issue head-on. Minnesota is one of seven states that doesn’t allow employers to use a tip credit to avoid paying the full minimum wage otherwise required by law.

Emmer has said not having a tip credit in Minnesota puts a financial burden on business owners and drives up the costs passed on to consumers.

“The most important issue facing the next governor is creating jobs and getting our economy back on the path to prosperity,” Emmer said. “This week we met with business owners and next week we will listen to the employees, especially servers concerned about the tip credit issue. I’m looking forward to a robust discussion.”

Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, July 14
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Ol’ Mexico Restaurante and Cantina, Roseville
One block north of Larpenteur on Lexington Ave