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Updated: Missouri & Arkansas Voters Approve Minimum Wage Hikes


Yesterday was Election Day across the country as voters in Missouri and Arkansas had their say in regard to two different minimum wage proposals on the ballot. In Missouri, Proposition B sought to raise the hourly minimum wage rate in the state from $7.85/hour up to $12/hour by 2023.  As for Arkansas, voters in the state had their say on Issue 5 which would raise the hourly wage rate from $8.50/hour up to $11/hour by 2021.  For those keeping score at home, these were the only two statewide minimum wage related matters on the ballot.

In Missouri, voters approved Proposition B with approximately 61 percent in favor of the measure.  As a result, the hourly minimum wage rate in the state will increase to $8.60/hour on January 1, 2019 and then increase $.85/hour every year until 2023 when the hourly minimum wage rate will reach $12/hour.

In Arkansas, voters approved Issue 5 with approximately 68 percent in favor of the measure.  As a result, the hourly minimum wage rate in the state will increase to $9.25/hour on January 1, 2019, $10/hour on January 1, 2020, and $11/hour on January 1, 2021.

Attention now turns to whether other states (perhaps especially those in traditionally conservative states) will seek to put similar minimum wage measures on the ballot in 2020.  If Arkansas can pass a minimum wage hike in the face of strong opposition from some Republicans, yesterday’s results are likely to embolden minimum wage advocates elsewhere around the country.  While I think we are still a ways away from a federal hourly minimum wage hike, I would expect more and more states will continue to pursue similar ballot measures (especially in states with Republican controlled legislatures which have been more resistant to approving minimum wage legislation). 


For additional information:  https://www.vox.com/2018/11/6/18064506/missouri-proposition-b-minimum-wage-results

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