Think tank seeks to dispel Prop A ‘myths’ as business groups’ opposition continues

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri policy think tank has released a study calling out what it says are myths about a proposal to increase Missouri's minimum wage and require employers to provide paid leave.

Meanwhile, business groups are working to see the ballot measure go down in flames.

Proposition A would increase Missouri's minimum wage to $13.75 per hour starting on Jan. 1 and increase by $1.25 each year until the minimum wage becomes $15 per hour in 2026. It will then be adjusted based on inflation starting in 2027.

The proposition will also require all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and allow the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to oversee and enforce businesses.

Governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions are exempt from the minimum wage increase.

A critic of Proposition A, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warns that the measure could harm Missourians and invites citizens to co-sign its statement opposing Prop A. The group raises concerns that Prop A may increase the cost of goods and services, pressure employers to reduce hiring —potentially sidelining young workers — and that the sick leave mandate could be misused by employees. They also are concerned that Prop A has too much grey area that may leave companies both large and small businesses open to lawsuits.

"Businesses should be able to set their own policies, and we know the employers are offering competitive wages and benefits, including paid sick leave," Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's interim President and CEO Kara Corches said. "However, we don't think that there should be a one-size-fits-all all approach to business policies."

Alternatively, the nonprofit independent research organization, Missouri Budget Project, supports Prop A, releasing multiple studies on the positive effects of sick leave and increasing the minimum wage and even releasing an article earlier this month addressing critics' claims about the ballot measure.

Also pushing for Prop A is the group Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. The organization, similar to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a growing list of over 500 businesses in support of the ballot measure.

Attorney at Cline, Braddock & Basinger, LLC of Columbia and signer of the Business for a Fair Minimum Wage list, Jeffrey Basinger added his name because he finds that Proposition A makes sense.

"We see that corporate profits are sky high, inflation went up, health care costs are sky high, gas prices, food prices, nobody's happy with any of those," Basinger said. "The best way to help workers is to put money directly in their pocket."

Basinger also adds that he finds Prop A pretty straightforward and doesn't think a business' risk of receiving a lawsuit would increase.

"I don't think there's any concern about that, really," Basinger said. "You know, the minimum wage is automatically state law and then there's the sick leave provision and it's going to be around 5 to 7 days that will really help families I don't think there's anything too confusing about that."

According to a poll from Saint Louis University, 57% of voters supported Proposition A.