New Year Brings New Policies

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The new year is bringing an increase to Missouri’s minimum wage and the end of an open records exemption that has covered response plans and security systems.Starting Wednesday, the state’s minimum wage increases from the federal rate of $7.25 an hour to $7.35. The raise comes because of inflation. A 2006 voter-approved law increased Missouri’s minimum wage and included a cost of living adjustment.In addition, two exemptions to the open records law expire at the end of 2012. One covers operational guidelines and policies developed by law enforcement, public safety, first response or public health authorities for preventing and responding to terrorism incidents. The other deals with security systems and structural plans for buildings.Legislation has been proposed for the 2013 session to renew the exemptions.