Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage releases statement with more than 200 inaugural business supporters of raising the minimum wage to $12 by 2023

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, (530) 864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

Jefferson City, May 2, 2018 — Missouri business leaders spoke today about the importance of raising the state’s minimum wage during a press conference in Jefferson City as Raise Up Missouri submitted signatures to the Secretary of State to advance a ballot initiative to gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. Business leaders also released a Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement with more than 200 inaugural supporters across the state.

Business leaders will continue to endorse the Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement in coming months. The statement says that “Raising the minimum wage will boost sales as Missouri workers have more money to spend at local businesses.” It also highlights other important business benefits: “Low pay typically means high turnover. Raising the minimum wage pays off in lower employee turnover, reduced hiring and training costs, lower error and accident rates, increased productivity and better customer service. Employees often make the difference between repeat customers or lost customers.”

“Raising Missouri's minimum wage to $12 by 2023 will be good for businesses, customers and our economy,” said Pam Hausner, Owner of Big Vision Design in Kansas City and Business Campaign Manager for Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “The increase phases in gradually, giving low-paying businesses time to adjust and experience the benefits of a rising minimum wage such as increased consumer spending, cost savings from lower employee turnover, increased productivity and happier customers.”

The ballot measure would raise the state minimum wage from $7.85 an hour to $8.60 next year, and then increase it gradually each year until it reaches $12 an hour in 2023. 

Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage members across the state commented in support today:

Bob Goodrich, President of Goodrich Quality Theaters including Capital 8 in Jefferson City and Forum 8 in Columbia, said, “Movie theaters are a mass market business. At the current minimum wage, working people can’t even afford the basics like food, clothing and rent. Raising the minimum wage to $12 will be good for business and good for communities across Missouri.”

Joe Edwards, Owner of Blueberry Hill restaurant and music club, the Moonrise Hotel, the Pageant and Delmar Hall concert nightclubs, Peacock Diner, Flamingo Bowl, and Pin-Up Bowl in St. Louis, said, “Raising the minimum wage will help us build a solid economic foundation that ensures workers a fair wage and businesses a strong customer base. The increased spending that comes with better wages kicks off a virtuous economic cycle that leads to business growth and investment and, ultimately, more and better jobs.”

Mary Faucett, Owner of Bambino’s Café in Springfield, said, “When wages are raised at the bottom, money goes right back into businesses and the larger community. When all businesses, including the large chains, have to pay a decent wage, it will level the playing field for us little guys and help us grow our business.”

Leigh Lockhart, Owner of Main Squeeze restaurant in Columbia, said, “If you can’t understand why people need to earn more than $7.85, then it’s been a very long time since you’ve had to live on minimum wage. We need a wage floor that does what the minimum wage is supposed to do. Provide a decent living standard for workers that businesses depend on as employees and as customers. And provide a strong foundation for a healthy economy.”

Mike Draper, Owner of Raygun printing, clothing and design in Kansas City, said, “Raising the minimum wage is vital for fair competition and a thriving economy. My taxes shouldn’t be diverted into corporate welfare going to subsidize my competitors whose low wages drive their employees to public assistance to get by. An economy thrives when working people can make ends meet and have money to spend at local businesses.”

Stacy Jurado Miller, Co-Founder and Chief Mission Officer of The Vecino Group in Springfield, said, “Our company’s success, like most businesses, is dependent on the people we hire. A fair minimum wage is an essential part of ensuring a quality workforce. Employees can't do their best work when they’re worried about paying for life’s most basic needs.”

Scott Sandler, Owner of Pizza Head in St. Louis, said, “It’s important to look at wages as an investment instead of a cost. The return on investment from living wages includes lower employee turnover, which saves time and money in hiring, training and managing new employees. It includes better customer service and higher productivity. And it builds a stronger economy, where working people earn enough to buy the products our businesses are selling.”

Luke Babich, Principal and CSO, Clever Real Estate in St. Louis, said, “As a real estate business, we know that the ‘cheapest’ way can be costly – whether it’s using shoddy building materials or shortchanging employees. A fair wage means more workers able to rent and buy homes, investing in the places they live, and making the economy stronger for everyone.” 

Keith Bradley, Co-Owner, Made in KC, Kansas City, said, “Paying fair wages has been a central value to our business that we believe has contributed to our success and growth. Paying a decent wage has brought me dedicated employees, low turnover rates and increased customer satisfaction. Raising Missouri’s minimum wage makes good business sense.”

Missouri business leaders supportive of raising the minimum wage are available for comment and/or broadcast bookings. To schedule an interview, contact Erin Musgrave at erin@emcstrategies.com or (530) 864-7014.

For more information about Raise Up Missouri and the ballot process visit www.raiseupmo.org and contact Tony Wyche at tonywyche@soapbox-pr.com or 314-398-9991.

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Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is the state affiliate of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a national network of business owners and executives who believe a fair minimum wage makes good business sense.