“In a lot of ways it hurts the very people that this type of legislation is intended to benefit,” Obenshain said. “There are a lot of people who are entering the workforce who need the experience and the skills that come with a first-time job — kids who are in high school, kids who just finished high school. People who don’t have experience getting up and going to work and understanding the demands of the workplace.”

Norment told senators there is “empirical, and not emotional, data that supports why this is a bad idea.”

“And I’m sure that all of you are aware of the number of organizations that have come out in very fervent opposition to this,” Norment said. “My favorite group — my favorite group that has come out in opposition to this is the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. My buddies.”

People trying to live on a minimum wage are likely to apply for public assistance, said Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax.

“If somebody’s getting paid $15,000 a year, there’s a pretty good chance they’re getting benefits from the state,” he said. “By keeping our minimum wage down, what we’re doing is basically subsidizing large corporations, because taxpayers are making up the ability for these folks to be able to live.”