Wage-hike initiatives pass in six states
DENVER [Nov. 8] – Ballot initiatives mandating increases in the minimum wage were approved by voters in six states during Tuesday’s elections.
Despite strong opposition from operators, state restaurant associations and the National Restaurant Association, the minimum wage measures, which all tie future increases to the inflation rate, won strong public support, reported local media outlets. Most of the increases go into effect Jan. 1.
About 66 percent of Arizona voters approved Proposition 202, which raises the wage to $6.75 per hour.
In Colorado, Amendment 42, which raises the wage to $6.85 per hour, garnered about 53 percent of the vote.
Nearly three-quarters of voters in Missouri and Montana approved minimum wage hikes. In Missouri, Proposition B raises the wage to $6.50 per hour.
In Montana, Initiative 151 raised the pay floor to $6.15 per hour. The wage remains $4 per hour for employees at businesses with gross sales of $110,000 or less.
About 69 percent of voters in Nevada approved Question 6, which sets the minimum wage at $6.15 per hour if the employer does not provide health benefits. The minimum remains at $5.15 for those employers that do offer benefits.
And in Ohio, about 56 percent of voters voted yes on Issue 2, which raises the wage to $6.85 per hour. The minimum wage for employees under the age of 16 and employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of less than $250,000 remains at the federal minimum wage rate of $5.15 per hour.