Heber Springs Mayor Jackie McPherson, the Democratic candidate for 1st District Congress, has scheduled a news conference Tuesday to discuss his endorsement of a ballot proposal to increase the Arkansas minimum wage from $6.25 to $8.50 an hour by 2017. He’ll speak as a long-time restaurant owner, an industry that has often opposed minimum wage increases.

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, the Republican incumbent, opposed federal legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10. He’s not made a statement yet on the smaller state proposal, which polls indicate enjoys broad support.

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