Missouri Voters Pass Minimum Wage Increase and Paid Sick Leave, Facing Potential Republican Challenges
Missouri voters have decisively approved Proposition A, raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 and requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. This is the third time Missourians have increased the minimum wage, reflecting a decade-long fight for worker rights. The measure will provide a significant boost to low-wage workers, bringing a full-time employee’s weekly earnings from $492 to $600 before taxes. The paid sick leave provision, effective in 2025, will allow workers to prioritize their health without jeopardizing their income, joining 18 other states in offering this benefit. While opponents argued it would burden businesses, supporters celebrate this victory as a significant step toward economic justice and worker well-being.
John Q. Hosedrinker