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Minimum Wage Ballot Issue

August 29, 1996
By: Tracy Sadeghian
State Capital Bureau

Missouri's Secretary of State says they hope to be able to announce on Labor Day week whether the drive to raise the state's minimum wage will appear on the November ballot.

But even before ballot status assured, business and labor already are gearing up for the fight.

Tracy Sadeghian reports from the State Capitol:

Story:Sadeghian
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now has submitted petitions to put on the November ballot an increase in the minimum wage.

Their proposal would increase the minimum hourly wage to six dollars and 25 cents...a dollar-fifty more than the new federal amount.

Association spokesman...Craig Robbins says people can't survive on the current rate.

Actuality:Robbins
RunTime: 11 sec
OutCue: "low wages."
Contents: Robbins says people earning $5 an hour qualify for food stamps and are already being subsidized by the federal government

Business organizations have fought for years efforts to boost the state minimum wage.

Dan Meehan with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce argues welfare rolls would surge as businesses lay off workers caused by higher wages.

Tracy Sadeghian...Jefferson City.