CNN tells us 21 states increase minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2021.
Missouri voters passed a proposition in 2018 that gradually increases the statewide minimum wage to $12 over five years. Michigan, New Mexico and Virginia adopted similar legislation with $12 goals.
While $12 seems like old news now, the Missouri GOP and Chamber of Commerce opposed even this small hike in the minimum wage.
In reality, the Missouri business community is deeply concerned about the potential impact of Proposition B.
If passed, Proposition B would raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.85 per hour to $12 per hour. This change would create a substantial new burden on businesses across the state. These costs could shutter small employers, leading to significant job losses.
To be clear. At this point new unemployment claims are at decades long lows, there is a “labor shortage, and many businesses have raised wages well past the $11.15 2021 minimum wage. The UAW was proud to campaign for this increase in the minimum wage as well as fighting the business community effort to impose Right-to-Work on Missouri workers.
