CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, (530) 864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com
Jefferson City, Mo., Aug. 2, 2018 [Updated]— Missouri business owners are speaking in support of raising the minimum wage to $12 as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certified signatures today to put Proposition B on the November ballot. More than 350 Missouri business leaders have already endorsed Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage’s statement supporting raising the minimum wage to $12 by 2023 because it will boost consumer spending, strengthen the economy, reduce employee turnover, increase productivity, improve customer service, and level the playing field among businesses.
Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage continues building strong and growing support from businesses around the state. Proposition B would raise the Missouri minimum wage from $7.85 per hour to $8.60 in 2019, and then increase it by 85 cents each year until it reaches $12 an hour in 2023.
“The gradual minimum wage increase will give businesses time to adjust while experiencing benefits such as cost savings from lower employee turnover and increased sales thanks to greater consumer buying power,” said Pam Hausner, business campaign manager for Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage and owner of Big Vision Design in Kansas City.
Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage members commented in support today:
Sean Flanagan, Owner of The Bruncheonette in Joplin, said, “We treat our employees well and they treat our customers well. It’s a win-win for business success. Raising the minimum wage would mean more people would have money to spend at local restaurants like mine and so many other small businesses across the state.”
Bob Goodrich, President of Goodrich Quality Theaters including Capital 8 in Jefferson City and Forum 8 in Columbia, said, “Missouri’s minimum wage of $7.85 an hour is too low for even full-time workers to afford their basics: food, rent and more. It hurts businesses and the economy when working people don’t have enough income to keep a roof overhead, put food on the table, and enjoy needed recreation like a movie every once in a while. That’s why I support gradually increasing Missouri’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023.”
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.”
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 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.”
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.”
Leigh Lockhart, Owner of Main Squeeze restaurant in Columbia, said, “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.”
These and other 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.
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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.