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Tag Archives: Minimum wage

Governor Kehoe (r) spins like a top and signs deplorable anti-working people legislation into law

11 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Amendment A, anti-worker, General Assembly, governor, HB 567, Mike Kehoe, Minimum wage, right wingnut, sick leave repeal

HB 567, signed into law, repeals much of the pro-worker provisions overwhelmingly approved by the voters with Proposition A in 2024.

What the voters approved:

Official Election Returns
State of Missouri – General Election, November 05, 2024, Tuesday, November 5, 2024
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on Thursday, December 5, 2024

Proposition A (3572 of 3572 Precincts Reported) [pdf]

Yes Votes 1,693,064 57.6%
No Votes 1,247,658 42.4%

Total Votes 2,940,722

Mike Kehoe (r) [2024 file photo].

Yesterday, what right wingnuts taketh away:

Governor Kehoe Signs Bold Tax Cuts and Pro-Business Legislation into Law
JULY 10, 2025

Jefferson City — During a bill signing ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol, today Governor Mike Kehoe signed two major pieces of legislation—House Bills (HB) 567 and 594—delivering on his commitment to lower taxes and defend small businesses.

“Conservative leadership is about keeping more money in the hands of Missouri families, and less in government coffers,” said Governor Kehoe. “Today, we are protecting the people who make Missouri work—families, job creators, and small business owners—by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates.”

HB 567, sponsored by Representative Sherri Gallick and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, modifies provisions relating to employee compensation.

Maintains the state’s minimum wage law at $15 per hour, repealing the annual Consumer Price Index adjustment, and extends the wage requirement to public employers as well as private.
Repeals onerous paid sick leave mandates on Missouri small businesses, including:
Requirements dictating when and how paid leave must be provided.
Burdensome record keeping and compliance obligations.
[….]

Yep, working people take it in the gut yet again, courtesy of the Governor (r) and our right wingnut republican controlled Missouri General Assembly.

Campaign Finance: that’s some May

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Missouri Jobs with Justice, Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages, paid sick leave

This month at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative to increase the minimum wage and to require sick leave:

C232421 05/17/2024 Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages Missouri Jobs with Justice 2725 Clifton Ave St Louis MO 63139 5/17/2024 $10,876.32

C232421 05/17/2024 Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages Sixteen Thirty Fund 1201 Connecticut Ave NW Washington DC 20036 5/16/2024 $500,000.00

C232421 05/17/2024 Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action 2725 Clifton Ave St Louis MO 63139 5/17/2024 $24,169.98

C232421 05/22/2024 Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages Open Society Policy Center 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 7th Floor Washington DC 20006 5/21/2024 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

In the initiative:

Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages

[….]
COMMONSENSE POLICIES FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Allows workers to earn paid sick time off.

This measure allows workers to earn paid sick time off, at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, or around 7 days a year for a full time worker at a larger company and 5 days a year at a smaller company. Working parents deserve to take time off to take care of themselves and their children just as much as wealthy executives that already get sick leave and other benefits.

Raises the minimum wage to $15 an hour

A full time minimum wage worker currently makes less than $25,000 a year. This measure would help over 137,000 parents as well as 338,000 kids who live with a parent who earns minimum wage by gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2026. This is an adjustment that small businesses can get behind that allows parents to get their feet underneath them, pay the bills, and work toward better opportunities.
[….]

May 1, 2024:

Missouri Jobs with Justice Leaders Gather More than 100,000 Petition Signatures to Qualify Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages Initiative for the Ballot
Missouri workers submit more than 210,000 signatures that were collected from every county in the state by nearly 1,000 Missourians

Jefferson City, MO — Today, Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders celebrated in front of the Missouri Secretary of State’s office as the Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages campaign officially submitted signatures for a ballot measure that will deliver paid sick days and higher wages to Missouri’s working families.

“Like most Missourians, I work hard everyday. But I’m not able to earn a single day of sick time. When I’m not feeling well, I’m forced into impossible choices. Do I go to work and possibly get my co-workers, customers, and their families sick? Or do I stay home to heal but miss out on a needed paycheck?” said Alejandro Gallardo, a Columbia worker and signature gatherer.

“This initiative is about making our communities healthier, safer, and stronger so that none of our neighbors are forced to choose between a paycheck and their family’s health,” continued Gallardo. “I gathered signatures because workers like me deserve the ability to earn paid sick days and a fair wage. This will benefit everyone and I’m here to see that through.”

Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders gathered more than 100,000 signatures of the 210,000 signatures submitted to place the Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages initiative on the ballot.

“No matter our zip code, our race, or what job we have , we work hard for our families. Being there for our families is non-negotiable,” said Caitlyn Adams, Executive Director of Missouri Jobs with Justice. “No Missourian should have to choose between a day’s pay and their family’s well-being. Tens of thousands of Missourians who work full-time do not get any paid sick days. Missouri’s economy should reward hard work, not punish hard-working people for getting sick.”

Missouri Jobs with Justice is the leading grassroots organization fighting for an economy and democracy that works for working people. Since 2006, Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders have gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures to expand Medicaid, raise the minimum wage, clean up democracy, and reject so-called “right to work” laws in Missouri.

“Initiative petitions are how everyday Missourians have their voices heard and pass policies that matter most to our communities,” said Katelyn Zach, a Springfield resident and signature gatherer. “When our leaders refuse to deliver for our families, we as Missourians take power into our own hands and show up for our communities.”

Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders and coalition members kicked off the grassroots signature gathering efforts across the state in April 2023.

“I’ve been a part of several ballot initiatives, this has been by far the biggest show of power from grassroots groups I’ve ever seen,” said Sharon Al-Uqdah, retired American Postal Workers Union Local # 67 President. “Hundreds took to the streets, union halls, front porches and festivals to talk with our neighbors and put this on the ballot. On kick off day, grassroots leaders gathered more than 8,400 signatures in a single day.”
[….]

They got the signatures. Now it’s a wait for certification.

HB 858: “@&%$ Missouri voters”

13 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

General Assembly, HB 858, Minimum wage, missouri, Proposition B, Robert Ross

Representative Robert Ross (r) [2018 file photo].

A bill, introduced last week by Representative Robert Ross (r):

HB 858
Modifies provisions relating to the state minimum wage rate
Sponsor: Ross, Robert (142)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2019
LR Number: 1780H.01I
Last Action: 02/11/2019 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 858
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill summary:

HB 858 — STATE MINIMUM WAGE RATE [pdf]
SPONSOR: Ross

This bill repeals the incremental increase to the state minimum wage.

Really?

Last November, the results on the initiative to raise the minimum wage in Missouri:

State of Missouri – General Election, November 06, 2018
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on November 30, 2018

Proposition B
3256 of 3256 Precincts Reported

YES 1,499,002 62.338%
NO 905,647 37.662%
Total Votes: 2,404,649

The right wingnut majority in the General Assembly will pass HB 858 because they believe they can get away with it.

“@&%$ Missouri voters” is it.

Campaign Finance: “evil” in the service of good

07 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Proposition B

Andrew Carnegie gave money to help build public libraries.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative on the November ballot to raise the minimum wage (Proposition B) in Missouri:

C171196 10/07/2018 Raise Up Missouri Sixteen Thirty Fund 1201 Connecticut Ave. Suite 300 Washington DC 20036 10/5/2018 $641,000.00

[emphasis added]

From who?

The good that the evil of money can do.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: raise that minimum wage (October 28, 2017)

Campaign Finance: about raising that minimum wage (September 22, 2018)

Campaign Finance: it’s fair

29 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Proposition B

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative campaign (Proposition B) to raise the minimum wage:

171196 09/29/2018 Raise Up Missouri The Fairness Project 1348 Florida Ave. NE Washington DC 20009 9/28/2018 $100,000.00

[emphasis added]

Definitely Fair.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: about raising that minimum wage (September 22, 2018)

Campaign Finance: about raising that minimum wage

22 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, missouri, Proposition B

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative (Proposition B) to raise the minimum wage on the November ballot:

C171196 09/22/2018 Raise Up Missouri Black Progressive Action Coalition 2090 Adam Clayton Power Jr. Blvd. New York NY 10027 9/20/2018 $500,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a serious commitment.

Heh. They’re using the right’s own weapon (money) against them.

Campaign Finance: not practicing unilateral disarmament

02 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, missouri, Raise Up Missouri

Alrighty then. Someone’s using their evil powers for a noble purpose.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative on the November ballot in support of increasing the minimum wage (Proposition B) in Missouri:

C171196 09/02/2018 Raise Up Missouri Sixteen Thirty Fund 1201 Connecticut Ave. Suite 300 Washington DC 20036 8/31/2018 $3,000,000.00

[emphasis added]

…If the tools are available.

The Sixteen Thirty Fund is a 501(c)(4) which supports progressive and environmental issues. They do not have to disclose their donors. The fund has contributed a total of at least $4,052,500.00 to Raise Up Missouri in 2017 and 2018.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: raise that minimum wage (October 28, 2017)

Campaign Finance: more December to remember (December 22, 2017)

Campaign Finance: that’s quite a boost (May 11, 2018)

Campaign Finance: for working people

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, Misouri Ethics Commission, missouri, organized labor, Raise Up Missouri, working people

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative to raise the minimum wage in Missouri (Proposition B) on the November ballot:

171196 08/28/2018 Raise Up Missouri United Food and Commercial Workers International Union 1775 K Street NW Washington DC 20006 8/27/2018 $10,000.00

C171196 08/28/2018 Raise Up Missouri SEIU Missouri State Council PAC 5585 Pershing Ave Suite 120 Saint Louis MO 63112 8/28/2018 $150,000.00

[emphasis added]

Working people on behalf of working people.

Josh Hawley: Not as smart as they thought?

16 Thursday Aug 2018

Posted by willykay in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

ballot initiatives, Claire McCaskill, Clean Elections, Election 2018, Gas tax, Josh Hawley, medical marijuana, Minimum wage, Redistricting

So what about Josh Hawley? There’s this little morsel (as noted by Michael Bersin here) which indicates that perhaps the guy just isn’t working with all the lights burning:

In Missouri’s U.S. Senate race, Josh Hawley (R) slammed Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) this morning for “hiding out” in Washington, D.C. For the record, the Senate is in session, which means McCaskill just went to work.

One twitter commentator suggested that Hawley might need a tutorial on how government works. In fact, lots of folks have been wondering this summer if Hawley’s really up to speed when it comes to “work,” and “politics” stuff – an impression that this post-primary awkwardness reinforces. Perhaps a tutorial would be just the thing.

Want more evidence that our hero is a little slower on the uptake than we’d expect from a Yale and Stanford graduate? How about Hawlely’s inability to let us know what he thinks about major issues in Missouri politics like the ballot initiatives that will come before the voters this November: we’ll vote on a higher minimum wage, clean government measures, including fair redistricting reform, increases to the gas tax to pay for sorely needed infrastructure improvements, and legalization of medical marijuana.

“Yes” or “no” stuff for any thinking politician, right? But Hawley seems to be a little worried that he might get somebody’s dander up if he expresses a real opinion on possibly controversial topics, which may be why he’s so willing to temporize. He declares that:

… he needs to read through all of the proposals and is still making up his mind. He said he’s inclined to support medical marijuana, but he said he wants to make sure there are enough protections to limit it to medical uses.

We’ve known that these initiatives would probably be on the ballot for some time – and even if we hadn’t, each of them is important enough, and most have been swirling around in the national conversation with such force, that we should be able expect a serious candidate for statewide office to have well-thought out opinions.

Senator McCaskill, I notice, is able to discuss the propositions straightforwardly without obfuscation or withdrawing into a shuddering heap. What we get are clear cut answers about what she believes will work best for Missourians. She likes all the propositions – expressing serious enthusiasm about clean government measures, something that all ethical politicians should be able to endorse. She even approves of the gas tax – a position that takes courage in these days when a sizeable section of the electorate has been brain-washed to think that you don’t have to pay for what you get – or that the other guy doesn’t deserve what you get.

There is one aspect of the questions raised by the ballot propositions that Hawley is willing to commit to. Our prim, proper and very religious AG is pretty clear that no one should be able to toke up who isn’t suffering from an agonizing or terminal disease. Easy-peasy decision if you’ve got your priorities straight.

Campaign Finance: that’s quite a boost

11 Friday May 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, Misouri Ethics Commission, missouri

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for an initiative campaign to raise the minimum wage:

C171196 05/11/2018 Raise Up Missouri Sixteen Thirty Fund 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 300 Washington DC 20036 5/11/2018 $500,000.00

[emphasis added]

$500,000.00 is quite a boost.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: raise that minimum wage (October 28, 2017)

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