ST. PAUL  — As Minnesota lawmakers debate raising the minimum wage, Gov. Mark Dayton said he prefers tying future increases to inflation.

Dayton told The Associated Press on Friday that it would be “useful” to include an automatic escalator clause. The state has one of the nation’s lowest minimum wages at $6.15 per hour, but most people at the bottom qualify for the federal minimum of $7.25.

The Democratic-led House and Senate both passed bills to boost the Minnesota rate but couldn’t come to an agreement on how much. Debate is expected to resume in early 2014. Dayton says he’s optimistic a bill will pass and be signed.

Dayton said linking future increases to inflation would prevent those earning the minimum wage from losing buying power as years go by.