As members of Missouri’s business community, we oppose Proposition A, a ballot initiative that would increase the cost of doing business and increase liability for our state’s employers.
Proposition A would increase Missouri’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026, well above the current federal minimum wage of $7.25. Missouri’s minimum wage has been higher than the federal minimum wage since 2013.
Additionally, employers would be required to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
Our concerns with Proposition A are numerous:
• As many U.S. families struggle with the effects of inflation, the passage of Proposition A would hit Missourians in the wallet, further increasing the cost of goods and services in our state.
• Nearly half of all minimum wage earners are teenagers or young adults and raising the minimum wage can push them out of the job market if employers choose to reduce hiring.
• Proposition A would restrict employers’ ability to set their own time-off policies and tailor the requirements to the specific needs of their workforce.
• The sick leave portion of Proposition A would create new pathways for frivolous lawsuits against employers. The ballot measure language includes penalties for “retaliatory personnel action,” making it difficult for an employer to investigate sick leave misuse.
• Several components of the sick leave mandate are either unclear or directly conflict with federal law.
Missouri employers know their employees are their greatest asset and recognize the importance of offering competitive wages and benefits. However, we will always oppose new business mandates. We believe business owners know best how to run their own companies, and the government should stay out of the way.
Our position is simple: Let business decide.
We want to ensure Missouri is a great place to live, work and run a business. Please join us in voting ”no” on Nov. 5.
Kara Corches, interim president & CEO of Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry