COLUMBIA, Mo. (KY3) – There is just one week left for Missourians to vote on whether or not to raise the minimum wage and require paid sick leave.

If you walked into Pasta La Fata in Colombia, you’d hear Italian music over the speakers, smell the sauce cooking, and see a young worker making fresh noodles. This brick and mortar restaurant is owner Michelle La Fata’s dream come true. Her team of employees is important to La Fata, which is why she supports Missouri’s proposal to raise the minimum wage and require paid sick leave.

“I think it’s going to make people feel very appreciated, and people who work in minimum wage positions probably don’t feel appreciated,” La Fata said.

Sample Ballots: Check the ballot for the November 2024 election

In this election, Missourians are voting on Proposition A.

A yes vote on this question means you agree to several things: raising the minimum wage from $13 to $15 over two years, allowing that increase to continue into 2027 and beyond, based on the price index of consumption, requiring all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and giving the Department of Labor oversight for enforcing these new laws. There are exemptions for government employers and those working in public or private education.

Missouri currently has the 16th highest minimum wage in the country. If Prop A passes, Missouri could reach the 9th highest minimum wage, tied with states like New York and Colorado.

November Elections: Missouri Voters’ Guide

Buddy Law with the Missouri Restaurant Association opposes Proposition A. He said it would decrease profits for the state’s 217,000 private employers and lead to layoffs or even job losses.

“The bottom line when you vote on Proposition A will be that you are literally saying that we would like to raise all prices for all goods and services in the state of Missouri,” Lahl said.

Lahl is also concerned that some people would abuse the sick leave policy — leading to additional stress.

“The cost to the employer, to the small business employer, to employers under 15, is going to be dramatic,” Lahl said.

La Fata said she likes the sick leave policy in Prop A so much that she plans to implement it whether it passes or not.

“I understand that there are a lot of business owners, small business owners, probably restaurant owners, who have this idea in their mind that paying people more is going to ruin their business or they’re not going to be able to make money,” Said the Girl. “But in my experience, when I pay people more and feel valued, they have a lower turnover rate.”

Associated Industries of Missouri is considering possible legal action if this proposal is approved. The president said it violates the single-subject rule by addressing both the minimum wage and sick leave.

To report a correction or typo, please send an email [email protected]. Please include item information in the subject line of your email.

Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.