NASHVILLE (AP) - Workers from across the state are speaking out against legislation that would prevent Tennessee cities and counties from establishing a living wage.

About 100 workers gathered on the steps of the state Capitol to protest the measure that would ban higher wage requirements set by local governments and repeal any standard that has already been set, which in this case would be in Memphis.

Republican Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin, the bill's sponsor, said it's necessary to have "uniform ... business practices" between cities and counties.

Tom Anderson is president of the United Campus Workers. He says the proposal is a bad idea because the "living wage is the bare minimum that a person needs to pay their bills."

The legislation was to be heard in the State and Local Government Subcommittee on Wednesday.