Missouri business lobbying group opposes Proposition B
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Missouri business lobbying group opposes Proposition B

Date: October 25, 2006
By: Beverly Rivera
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: A Missouri business lobbying group says, "No" to raising the minimum wage.

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Proposition B will appear on Missouri's November ballot and proposes to raise the minimum wage in the state from the federal level of $5.15 to $6.50 an hour.

An increase would follow each year based on the national average cost of living.

The Associated Industries of Missouri or AIM is a business lobbying group that opposes the wage increase.

David Mitchell, an assistant professor of economics at Missouri State University in Springfield, spoke at a news conference held by AIM and said the wage increase will create more problems rather than solutions for Missourians.

 

Actuality:  AIM4.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: Mitchell says Consumer Price Indexing will bring inflation to Missouri.


AIM argues Proposition B could drive some companies out of business and cause unemployment for Missourians.

From the State Capitol, I'm Beverly Rivera.


Intro: A Missouri business lobbying group says Proposition B will cause unemployment in the state. 

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Associated Industries of Missouri, also known as AIM, is a business lobbying group that wants Missourians to vote down Proposition B.

Proposition B would increase the state minimum wage to $6.50 with increases every year based on the national average cost of living.

AIM argues the proposition will make Missouri less competitive with surrounding states and cause more poverty because businesses would be forced to lay off workers due to the wage increases.

Michael Podgursky, a professor of economics at the University of Missouri, agrees.

Actuality:  AIM1.WAV
Run Time: 00:10
Description: Podgursky says increased wages will cause unemployment in the state.


Proposition B will appear on Missouri's November 7th ballot.

From the State Capitol, I'm Beverly Rivera.


Intro: The Associated Industries of Missouri, a business lobbying group, says technology will replace workers if voters pass Proposition B.

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The lobbying group says the wage increase will force businesses to look for alternative means of production in order to reduce costs.

Jim Maumgartner, owner of 54 foods incorporated, says the wage increase would be detrimental to low skilled Missouri workers.  

Actuality:  AIM3.WAV
Run Time: 00:09
Description: Maumgartner says as a business owner, he'd start looking for technology to replace workers if the wage increase became too high.

Maumgartner says he started working at a McDonald's at $.65 an hour and worked his way up to owning as many as eight McDonald's restaurants around the state.

He says increasing the minimum wage would limit the amount of people that would receive the same opportunities he had.   

From the State Capitol, I'm Beverly Rivera.