By Stephen Herzog
Columbia Daily Tribune, January 2, 2025
When the new year came around Wednesday, some of Missouri's lowest wage earners saw a bump in pay, as the minimum wage increased to $13.75 with the passage of Proposition A. ...
Michelle La Fata, owner of Pasta La Fata in Columbia, was one of hundreds of business owners who supported the passage of Prop A.
“Raising the minimum wage is a great way to start the new year," she said. "That money helps workers make ends meet and recirculates throughout our economy as spending at local businesses like mine. I know from experience that fair pay is important for low employee turnover and high customer satisfaction. With better pay and paid sick leave, businesses will be stronger and more resilient.”
La Fata started her restaurant as a pop-up around 2017. Five years later, she opened her own brick and mortar location at 1207 Rogers St. ...
La Fata is just one of many business owners around the state supporting the increase.
Randy Vines is a co-owner of STL Style House, which offers t-shirts, books and other merchandise celebrating St. Louis.
“As a business owner, you can never go wrong by investing in your employees," he said. "It makes an immediate impact in their lives, and it strengthens your businesses. Our productive and creative employees build our brand with us day in and day out. Raising Missouri’s minimum wage is essential because everyone should make a living wage no matter where they work.”
On the other side of the state, Mike Schroeder is a co-owner of Oddly Correct coffee in Kansas City.
“We’re looking forward to Proposition A’s implementation," he said before the new year. "After making the decision to double down on fair pay and benefits for our employees, we’ve seen nothing but positive impacts at Oddly Correct. Our employees are more engaged and productive, providing the excellent customer service that keeps our customers happy. While others have high employee turnover, we do not. People want to work here because they know we’ll do right by them.”
In Springfield, the state's third-largest city, Stick It In Your Ear music store owner Erik Milan also supported the passage.
“Raising Missouri’s minimum wage will be good for workers and businesses," he said. "When workers in our community are paid more, they can spend more at local businesses. And businesses depend on consumer spending to survive, grow and hire. Thanks to better wages and paid sick time because of Prop A, businesses will also benefit from lower employee turnover, increased productivity, better health and morale, and better customer service.”