Monday, March 14, 2011

FOX Files: Prop B Foe May Have Conflict Of Interest - KTVI

FOX Files: Prop B Foe May Have Conflict Of Interest - KTVI

Prop B Supporters Outraged By MO Senate Vote - KTVI

Prop B Supporters Outraged By MO Senate Vote - KTVI

Prop B Latest In A String Of Laws Overturned By Missouri Senate - KTVI

Prop B Latest In A String Of Laws Overturned By Missouri Senate - KTVI

Missouri Senate runs over voters on puppy mills | Midwest Voices

Missouri Senate runs over voters on puppy mills Midwest Voices

Missouri House authorizes changes in voter-approved minimum wage law | Midwest Voices

Missouri House authorizes changes in voter-approved minimum wage law Midwest Voices

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Don Wells Really Needs a Tutorial on Democracy | Fired Up! Missouri

Don Wells Really Needs a Tutorial on Democracy Fired Up! Missouri

Missouri lawmakers at odds with voter-approved laws | Springfield News-Leader | News-Leader.com

Missouri lawmakers at odds with voter-approved laws Springfield News-Leader News-Leader.com

List of Missouri House Members That Voted Against Public Will

Voters in 2006 approved a ballot measure that allows Missouri's minimum wage to rise above the federal level based on annual inflationary adjustments. The measure passed with 76 percent of the vote. House Democrats said Tuesday that state lawmakers were wrong to overrule the initiative.

The following decided that they did not have to listen to the will of the people, but decided they knew best and would vote against the people.

HB 61


Prohibits the state minimum wage from exceeding the federal minimum wage and specifies that every employer must pay each employee receiving gratuities as compensation a wage of $3.63 per hour

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES NOLTE (Sponsor), SCHARNHORST, SCHAD, ALLEN, AND SCHNEIDER (Co-sponsors).


Eight Republicans refused to go along with their leadership's mean-spirited effort to make life even harder for families who are really struggling to make ends meet: Ryan Silvey of Kansas City, Ann Zerr of St. Charles, Lyle Rowland of Cedar Creek, Don Phillips of Kimberling City, Mike McGhee of Odessa, John McCaherty of High Ridge, Kent Hampton of Malden and Paul Fitzwater of Potosi.


McCaherty actually voted for the bill in committee. Kudos to him for listening to his constituents instead of the corporate special interests.

Minimum Wage Bill Heads To Missouri Senate

I suggest that we allow Mr. Grisamore to work at a minimum wage job and not get insurance that is paid for by Missouri taxpayers.  Would he last in his $200,000 home that he only paid a dollar for if he were forced to live in poverty?

Minimum wage bill heads to Missouri Senate


By Rudi Keller Columbia Daily Tribune

Published March 3, 2011 at 1:57 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House voted 92-60 Thursday to take away a voter-approved cost-of-living adjustment for minimum wage workers.

After nearly an hour of debate that brought passionate pleas for workers countered by arguments that businesses need certainty in costs, the House approved the measure that is a top business priority for the legislative session.

The bill did not, however, receive the 109 votes needed to override a veto if it makes it through the Senate, and nine Republicans joined a solid Democratic vote against the measure.

In a plea to the House, Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford, D-St. Louis, asked for the chamber to defeat the bill so families could keep up with inflation. “Let's not pass this bill to make sure that Missouri workers are mired in poverty and are little more than slaves,” she said.

But Rep. Jeff Grisamore, R-Lee's Summit, said small local businesses are being pushed under by rising costs, especially the increase in the minimum wage since 2006.


“It can be largely attributed to the fact that they as a small business owner cannot endure unlimited, unchecked increases in the minimum wage due to the cost of living,” Grisamore said.

Missouri's minimum wage was increased to $6.50 by voters in 2006, after 10 years without a change in the federal minimum of $5.15 an hour. The ballot measure included a provision that as prices changed, the minimum wage would change as well, but if the federal minimum was set above the state minimum, employers would have to pay the federal rate.

The bill sent to the Senate would permanently tie the state wage to the federal wage, preventing the inflation adjustment from pushing it above that level. The current state wage is $6.95 an hour, so employers are currently paying the federal rate.

The proposal setting the higher state rate and allowing for the inflation adjustment passed with 76 percent of the vote statewide.

Minimum wage bill heads to Missouri Senate | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

Minimum wage bill heads to Missouri Senate The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Missouri House endorses legislation capping state's minimum wage at federal rate

This from a man that paid a dollar for his house, voted present when abused women needed him to vote, made over $100,000 a year from a charity for widows and children, and has received reduced lunches for his children.  Really?!!  Maybe if he were forced to pay for his home, feed his own children, and work in the real world he would understand.

Missouri House endorses legislation capping state's minimum wage at federal rate


By Chris Blank

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House on Tuesday endorsed capping the state's minimum wage at the federal rate, a move that would reverse a voter-approved measure that allowed minimum pay increases based on inflation.

Supporters said the legislation would help companies compete against those in other states and improve Missouri's business climate, arguing regular minimum wage increases could force employers to lay off workers and raise prices for their goods.

"We cannot sustain unchecked, unlimited growth in the minimum wage and expect to retain and create and protect jobs in the state of Missouri," said Rep. Jeff Grisamore, R-Lee's Summit. "We have got to support this to be competitive with other states and protect jobs and protect small businesses in Missouri."

Voters in 2006 approved a ballot measure that allows Missouri's minimum wage to rise above the federal level based on annual inflationary adjustments. The measure passed with 76 percent of the vote. House Democrats said Tuesday that state lawmakers were wrong to overrule the initiative.

"What part of 'The people have spoken,' don't you guys understand?" said Rep. Jake Zimmerman, D-Olivette.

The House legislation would limit the state's minimum wage to the federal minimum wage. It would require Missouri workers who earn tips — such as waiters and waitresses — to be paid $3.63 per hour. The measure needs another vote before moving to the state Senate.

Currently, Missouri's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. Missouri employees who earn tips — such as restaurant waiters — must be paid $3.625 by their employers, however businesses must make up the difference if workers do not earn enough from tips to hit the $7.25 minimum wage.

Federal law requires tipped employees to be paid at least $2.13 by their employers if workers earn enough money through tips to hit the minimum wage.

Critics of the bill defended the minimum wage, saying increases could boost the state's economy by increasing how much money workers would have available to spend.

Several business owners previously urged state lawmakers to change the minimum wage law, contending it could help employers get through the economic downturn. The measure was among six priorities identified by a coalition of business groups for the legislative session.

"As the minimum wage increases, the ability of employers to continue to employ workers is damaged, particularly affecting entry-level workers," said Dan Mehan, the president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ""Missouri employers want the opportunity to reinvest these funds into their business in order to expand their work force thereby reducing unemployment in the state."

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Minimum wage is HB61.

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Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov