By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Governor Matt Blunt says he plans to oppose a ballot measure that would raise the minimum wage in Missouri.
The November proposal, which only officially was placed on the ballot last week, would raise the $5.15/hour minimum wage to $6.50 in Missouri. And it would go up each year after that to keep pace with inflation.
Blunt says the ballot measure would be "harmful to job growth and economic development in the state."
The governor has been running ads touting almost 45,000 new jobs in Missouri. He says that raising the minimum wage above the federal level would make it more difficult to attract businesses to the state.
Supporters say a high minimum wage would lead to more consumer spending and more state tax revenues.