FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Contact: Stacie Temple, (573) 526-5076
Contact: Mike Seitz, (573) 526-0949

Carnahan Announces Minimum Wage Initiative Petition Approved for Circulation for 2006 Ballot

Jefferson City, Missouri -- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced today that an initiative petition that would amend Missouri state law to increase the state's minimum wage has met state standards for circulation.

Before the issue can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2006 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast in the last governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts. Depending on which congressional districts are used, approximately 91,000 valid signatures are required for a proposed statutory change to be placed on the ballot through the initiative petition process. The ballot language for this change in state law reads:

"Shall Missouri Statutes be amended to increase the state minimum wage rate to $6.50 per hour, or to the level of the federal minimum wage if that is higher, and thereafter adjust the state minimum wage annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index?

The proposed revisions to Missouri's wage rate laws generates an estimated $3.3 million to $4.3 million annually in state revenue. The impact on local government is unknown."

Ballot language in full text for the issue is available on the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/06init_pet.asp.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. The Secretary of State then prepares a summary statement and the State Auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the Attorney General. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.

The petition was submitted by Jim Kottmeyer of "Give Missourians a Raise." Contact information, as supplied, is 314-898-2051.

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