Montee, Thomas Differ On Minimum Wage

Democratic State Auditor candidate Susan Montee called on Republican Sandra Thomas Saturday to support a constitutional measure to raise the state's minimum wage.

The ballot measure would raise Missouri's minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.50 over the next two years, with annual increases to keep up with inflation.

The Thomas campaign responded by saying a minimum wage hike would set the state back.

“More Missourians are employed by small business than any other entity. It is nonsense for liberals to endorse a ballot initiative that will only lead to higher unemployment and hurt working families and small business owners” said Thomas. “Common sense tells us that business owners only hire employees if they think it will help their business. If government requires small business to pay certain workers more the effect will be that some will lose their jobs. This is wrong and it only hurts working families.”

"The State Auditor is the top advocate for the state's economic health and should state a position on issues that affect it,"Montee said. "Missouri can only be financially healthy if working families are financially healthy. Raising the minimum wage is essential to meeting the needs of Missouri's working families and the state as a whole."

Thomas said she's a fiscal conservative and that a minimum wage hike would hurt Missouri's economy. “I’m pro-business because that is where the jobs are,” said Thomas. “We need common sense public policy that supports and encourages small business and working families, not more political pandering.”

Montee cited a fiscal impact statement, prepared by the State Auditor's office. "While the statement referenced potential for job losses and decreased business investment as a result of the wage increase, it also projects $21.4 million in new consumer spending. It estimates the proposed minimum wage increase will generate an additional $3.3 million to $4.3 million annually in state tax revenues," according to the Montee release.