Missouri Chamber of Commerce pushes back on minimum wage increase
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Missouri Chamber of Commerce pushes back on minimum wage increase

Date: November 14, 2012
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri's minimum wage is slated to go up 10 cents next year, and the state Chamber of Commerce says that could hurt Missouri's comeback from the recession.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The minimum wage will increase to 7 dollars and 35 cents per hour starting January first.

Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Karen Buschmann says some employers might leave the state in search of lower rates.

Actuality:  BUSCH1.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "You will see all those business that can move. If it makes business sense for them to move, then they will do that."

Missouri Jobs With Justice is a state group advocating for a higher minimum wage.Director Lara Granich says higher wages will not force businesses to leave.

Actuality:  GRANICH2.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "All the research shows that that does not bear out. That's just sort of a scare tactic in the public debate to try and keep the minimum wage down."

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.

Intro: 
The minimum wage will increase by 10 cents next year. That's the kind of increase the Missouri Chamber of Commerce would like to stop.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: In a 2006 ballot measure, Missouri voters linked the minimum wage with inflation.

During the past few years, the state minimum wage has equaled the federal minimum, but inflation will push it higher to 7 dollars and 35 cents next year.

Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Karen Buschmann says the rise in wage will force businesses to move to states with a lower minimum wage.

Actuality:  BUSCH2.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "Something as important as minimum wage. It shouldn't be tied to something that automatically rises."

Buschmann says the Chamber will pursue legislation that will remove the link, but that failed in the state Senate last year.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.