Policy Matters: Not-so-happy anniversary to the minimum wage

Wednesday marked the 15th anniversary of the last time the federal minimum wage was raised to its current level of $7.25 per hour. Political gridlock has kept the minimum wage frozen, despite the rising cost of living. This stagnation marks the longest period without an adjustment since federal minimum wage laws were enacted in the 1930s.

In Oklahoma, the minimum wage is tied to the federal level, and state lawmakers have consistently blocked efforts to raise it. In 2014, they even passed a law preempting cities and counties from raising the minimum wage locally.

Meanwhile, the cost of living has soared by nearly 50 percent in the past 15 years, leaving many Oklahomans struggling to put food on the table or a roof over their head. Hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma workers, most of them over age 20, would benefit from a minimum wage increase.

Oklahoma voters have a chance to vote themselves a pay raise.

Organizers last week submitted signatures from nearly 180,000 Oklahomans requesting a vote on State Question 832, which would raise the state minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029. This initiative petition also ensures the minimum wage keeps its value by making annual adjustments to meet the rising costs of living, if needed. Once state officials have verified the signatures, the state question will be included in an upcoming statewide election. That election date has not been set.

SQ 832 is a direct response to the prolonged inaction of our elected officials, proving the critical importance of Oklahoma’s initiative petition. The state question process is enshrined in Article 5 of Oklahoma’s Constitution as “the first power reserved to the people.” It allows citizens to directly shape laws when lawmakers fail to act.

In recent years, voters have used this power to drive significant changes like criminal justice reforms in 2016, the legalization of medical marijuana in 2018, and Medicaid expansion in 2020. These victories highlight the potential of direct democracy to address pressing needs when lawmakers refuse to act.

By voting for State Question 832, Oklahoma voters can ensure a much-needed raise for the state’s low-wage workers, helping them better support themselves and their families. It’s time to address this long-overdue issue and vote for a living wage.

Shiloh Kantz is the executive director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute .

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