Republicans in the Minnesota Senate hope to wipe out city-specific labor rules, such as St. Paul’s $15 per-hour minimum wage, in the name of protecting the state’s economy.

A provision in the Senate jobs, energy and commerce budget would stop cities from requiring higher minimum wages or sick time for workers that are different that what is already in state law. The proposal would be retroactive to 2017 and would undo minimum wage and other laws also enacted in Minneapolis.

“It will keep Minnesota labor laws uniform,” said Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake, a chief sponsor of the bill. “A patchwork of regulation poses a real threat to commerce in the state.”