Missouri voters pass minimum wage hike, paid sick leave standard

By Cameron Montemayor

Missouri residents will see an increase in minimum wage and new requirements for paid sick leave following passage of Proposition A on Tuesday.

Voters in the Show-Me state overwhelmingly approved Proposition A during Tuesday’s general election. With 90% of precincts reporting statewide, the measure led with 1,464,513 yes votes compared to 1,021,783 no votes.

Results in Buchanan County were much the same, with 58% of 35,170 ballots cast going in favor of the measure.

Proposition A accomplishes two major policy objectives, including boosting Missouri’s minimum wage from $12.30 to $15 over two years, first to $13.75 by Jan. 1, 2025, and then $15 by Jan. 1, 2026.

The second component mandates that private employers now provide paid sick leave, making Missouri the 19th state with a law establishing paid sick leave standards.

Employers are now required to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Small businesses with fewer than 15 workers must offer five days of paid sick leave each year while larger businesses must provide seven days. The measure also extends to workers caring for themselves or family members.

Tuesday’s minimum wage hike marks the second increase since 2018, when voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition B to raise it over a five-year period from $7.85 to $12.