<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2stelv_0wHT625X00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2stelv_0wHT625X00" width="1200" height="800" >The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is opposed to a statewide proposition on the Nov. 5 ballot that asks voters to raise minimum wage and mandate paid sick leave. The announcement comes as election season kicks off Tuesday with the first day of no-excuse absentee voting.Known as Proposition A, the initiative would raise Missouri's minimum wage to $13.75 per hour in 2025 with incremental increases until reaching $15 an hour in 2025 with adjustments based on Consumer Price Index each January starting 2027. The same ballot question also includes requiring all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Currently, the state's minimum wage stands at $12.30 an hour.The Chamber's Board of Directors voted to oppose the proposition after the Legislative Policy Committee conducted a review of the issue and heard from both proponents and opponents of the measure, according to a Chamber news release. The decision to oppose the measure boiled down to the Chamber believing approval would have negative effects on the business community and would open employers up to legal penalties for non-compliance with the sick leave portion, which it said includes "stringent requirements with difficult compliance mechanisms," the release noted."Decisions about wages and benefits should be made by employers in response to market demands, notthrough one-size-fits-all mandates," Brian Hammons, chairman of the Springfield Chamber Board andpresident of Hammons Black Walnuts, said in the release. "Proposition A ties the hands of employers, particularly small businesses, who are already offering competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain talent."This move is a way for the Chamber to preserve a "business-friendly environment" that encourages economic growth. According to the release, the Chamber has a long-standing policy of being a proponent of economic growth by market conditions instead of government mandates.Review our Missouri Voter's Guide Missouri Election Guide: Key races and issues on the Nov. 5 ballotHowever, a statewide group of more than 500 businesses is on the other side of the issue. The Missouri Business Coalition expressed its support for Proposition A this week. In a statement, the coalition said increasing wages and enabling workers to earn paid sick leave will ultimately boost spending at local businesses, reduce costly employee turnover, increase productivity and strengthen the state's workforce and economy.From those who have signed the coalition's statement in support of Proposition A, more than 100 are Springfield businesses, including Bambino's and 417 Cocktails.</div></body>

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Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce opposes minimum wage increase on election ballot

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is opposed to a statewide proposition on the Nov. 5 ballot that asks voters to raise minimum wage and mandate paid sick leave. The announcement comes as election season kicks off Tuesday with the first day of no-excuse absentee voting. Known as Proposition A,...