Voters to decide minimum wage change in Missouri - KOAM TV 7

Voters to decide minimum wage change in Missouri

This is the third year in a row where minimum wage workers did not see a raise.  But that could change in November when voters see an option on the ballot to increase the rate by $1.

The measure would also require employees who earn tips to receive 60% of the state minimum wage, up from the current 50%.

A Joplin resident we talked to thinks it's a good idea.

"I believe that people need to be able to make a living and not pay for the finer things in life but pay for the basics and at $7.25 an hour it's just kind of not able to do that," says Joplin resident Michael Landis.

Some small business owners say the increase could lead them to let go of some workers in order to handle the extra expenses.

If the federal minimum wage rises above the state rate then Missouri would take on the federal wage and apply cost-of-living adjustments to that.

If passed the measure will go into effect in January.