CONTACT: Blake Case
blake@emccommunications.com, (601) 832-6079
March 11, 2025 -- As the Missouri Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments tomorrow in a case challenging last year’s ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and enable workers to earn paid sick leave, a group of small business owners has filed a brief with the court reiterating their support for Proposition A and urging its full implementation.
The amicus brief was filed by five Missouri business owners who argue that the lawsuit challenging Proposition A is unreasonable and wrongly seeks to overturn the will of the strong majority of voters who approved Proposition A. The five business owners are Joseph Chevalier, Mike Draper, Laurie Knowlton, Erik Milan and Michael Schroeder.
They are among more than 500 businesses who joined the Missouri Business for a Healthy Economy Coalition in 2024, supporting Proposition A. Business owners signed the Missouri Business for a Healthy Economy Statement, saying that raising the minimum wage boosts consumer spending at local businesses and, along with paid sick leave, will reduce costly employee turnover and lead to increased productivity, improved health and safety, and better customer service.
Joseph Chevalier, owner of Yellow Dog Bookshop in Columbia, said, “As a Mom and Pop business, Yellow Dog Bookshop stays competitive by treating employees well and providing a better customer experience. The shop has experienced low turnover over the years, which saves time and money that would otherwise have to be spent on hiring and training new people. Small businesses like Yellow Dog depend on local customers with money to spend. When the minimum wage goes up, consumer spending goes up, and the ripple effects benefit businesses, communities and the economy. Missourians voted for Proposition A and it should not be overturned.”
Erik Milan, owner of Stick It In Your Ear music store in Springfield, said, “Through prioritizing employee compensation and well-being, we have lost only one employee in the past five years. Experienced, knowledgeable staff provide the personalized service crucial in competing with big online retailers. With Proposition A’s implementation, workers throughout Missouri won’t be financially pressured to come to work sick and risk spreading illnesses to other staff and customers. Plus, businesses depend on consumer spending to survive, grow and hire. When workers are paid more because of Proposition A, they can spend more at local businesses.”
Michael Schroeder, owner of Oddly Correct Coffee in Kansas City, knows from experience that when the business “invested more in employees with living wages and benefits like paid sick leave they saw the very positive impact on their bottom line.” He said, “Employees became more invested in their work, and it created an environment for higher quality of service and a better experience for customers, which led to a 20% increase in retail revenue. They increased productivity and decreased turnover, which led to reduced hiring and training costs, and morale improved for both employees and management.”
Laurie Knowlton, owner of Pickwick Underground Framing in Springfield, said, “I was an early supporter of Proposition A because I value my employees and know that when you take care of them, they stay longer and take good care of your customers. That’s the key to sustaining a successful small business for 25 years. Employees provide the quality and professional service that produces repeat clientele. This legal challenge is muddying the waters and causing uncertainty for business owners about Proposition A’s implementation despite strong approval by Missouri voters.”
Mike Draper, owner of RAYGUN clothing and design store in Kansas City, said, “Proposition A will create a more level business playing field, and I look forward to the increased consumer spending that Proposition A will mean for RAYGUN and other businesses as it is phased in. Any changes in the implementation of Proposition A would make it harder to project revenues and plan ahead for workforce costs at my current and future stores in Missouri.”
Missouri business owners supporting Proposition A are available for comment. To schedule an interview, contact Blake Case at blake@emccommunications.com or 601-832-6079.
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Missouri Business for a Healthy Economy is a coalition of more than 500 businesses who believe a fair minimum wage and earned paid sick days are good for business.