Starting from January 1st, thousands of Missourians will experience a boost in their income as Proposition A, which was approved by the voters last month, raises the minimum wage to $13.75. This significant increase will result in more money in the pockets of hardworking individuals across the state.
After Proposition A was passed, advocates argue that fewer parents will face the dilemma of sacrificing their pay, going to work while sick, or sending their sick children to school. The wage increase resulting from this proposition will benefit approximately 137,000 parents and 338,000 children in the state. The additional income will allow them to afford essential needs such as food, housing, and medical care. These figures are provided by the Fairness Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic and social justice initiatives.
Missouri’s minimum wage is set to rise under Proposition A. Starting in January 2025, the minimum wage will increase from $12.30 an hour to $13.75. By January 2026, it will reach $15 an hour, and it will continue to be adjusted annually to account for inflation.
According to Richard von Glahn, the campaign manager of Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, full-time workers are currently earning less than $500 a week as minimum wage.
According to Glahn, it can be particularly challenging for parents during the holidays when they want to provide more for their children. Unfortunately, this is often not possible for many families due to the low minimum wage. Glahn emphasizes that when working people are better paid, they become the driving force behind the state’s economy. Therefore, they are eagerly looking forward to the changes that will take place on January 1st.
Several business groups, including the state’s chamber of commerce, the Missouri Grocers Association, and the National Federation of Independent Business, have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutional amendment that passed and is set to take effect in Missouri. The lawsuit was filed on December 6 with the Missouri Supreme Court.
According to Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, the proposition is in violation of the Missouri Constitution as it combines wage increases and benefits into a single ballot initiative. He highlights that this measure places a burden on small businesses, especially those with less than 15 employees.
Lahl emphasized that the minimum wage is not a major concern for them. Instead, it is the sick pay that poses a significant problem. She highlighted that there are eight pages of requirements for employers to provide sick pay, which is quite extensive. This becomes particularly challenging for small-business owners who cannot afford it and lack the necessary infrastructure and payroll processes to meet these guidelines.
According to Von Glahn, Proposition A will result in wage increases for approximately 16% of the state’s workforce, with an average raise of about $831 per year.
The raise will have a positive impact on Missouri children, as it will increase household wages for one in five of them.
“I never want to hear a parent say, ‘I feel like a failure because I can’t provide for my child,'” expressed Von Glahn. “As a parent myself, it deeply saddens me.”
