Missouri House advances plan for smaller state worker raises

By SUMMER BALLENTINE
Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri state workers would soon be guaranteed a minimum of $12 to $15 an hour under a plan advancing in the state House. The GOP-House voted 112-8 for the measure Wednesday. Republican Gov. Mike Parson asked for a minimum of $15 an hour for all state workers. But House Republicans pared that back to $12 an hour or a 5.5% raise. The House plan would still set a minimum wage of $15 an hour for state health care workers and other direct-care providers. The budget plan also includes money for at most $1,500 grants to reimburse low-income families for pandemic-related education costs.