The Arizona Supreme Court Thursday rejected a last-ditch bid by the business community to delay the effect of Proposition 206.  

The high court declined a challenge by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and other business groups that the law was unconstitutional.

Prop 206, approved earlier this year by voters on a 58-42 margin, raises the current minimum wage of $8.05 an hour to $10 on January first.

The same initiative eventually increases minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020.

Prop 206 campaign chair Tomas Robles called it a victory for the 700,000 Arizonans currently making less than $10 an hour.

“This represents an affirmation that people know how hard they work, how much they struggle and it’s going to uplift not just our low wage workers, but also everyone as a whole,” Robles said.

Thursday’s ruling however does not end the matter.

The justices have agreed to consider claims by opponents that the measure violates a constitutional provision, which requires all ballot proposals that result in new state spending have a dedicated revenue source.

Glenn Hamer is the chairman of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He admits that once the raises take effect Jan. 1, it could be tougher to change public opinion.

"We have to do a better job of making the case to the public,” Hamer said. “I'll certainly submit that that's a valid criticism and a definite area we need to do a better job of.”

A hearing is scheduled for February.