Bill Scheel, the leader of the minimum wage debate in Arizona, was the featured speaker at last week's Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce public policy meeting.

According to the ballot initiative, minimum wage should be high enough for working adults to support their families. The November ballot initiative from Arizona Healthy Families Initiative proposes a gradual wage hike with earned sick days. The wage increase schedule proposes a minimum pay of $10 an hour by Jan. 1 and increases each year up to 2020, ultimately reaching $12 per hour.

Bill Scheel has worked in Arizona politics for nearly 30 years, starting with Bruce Babbitt’s 1982 re-election campaign. He currently serves as campaign manager for Fred DuVal’s gubernatorial campaign. Scheel also served as Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon’s political strategist and chief of staff.