Minimum wage, stem cell head to statewide ballot

Both issues will go to a public vote in the Nov. 7 general election or in a special election to be called by Gov. Matt Blunt.

The minimum wage initiative would amend Missouri law to increase the state’s minimum wage to $6.50 an hour or the federal minimum wage, if higher, and allow for annual adjustments based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Minimum wage is $5.15 an hour.

The proposed revisions to Missouri’s wage rate laws generates an estimated $3.3 million to $4.3 million annually in state revenue, but the impact on local government is unknown, according to Carnahan.

To place the proposed initiative on the ballot, sponsors had to obtain valid signatures equal to or exceeding 5 percent of the number of people who voted in the 2004 gubernatorial election in six of Missouri’s nine congressional districts.

The stem cell research initiative would amend the Missouri Constitution regarding limitations on stem cell research, therapies and cures. It would ban human cloning and impose civil and criminal penalties for violations.

To place the proposed constitutional change on the ballot, sponsors had to obtain valid signatures equal to or exceeding 8 percent of the number of people who voted in the 2004 gubernatorial election in six of the state’s nine congressional districts.

Two other initiative petitions for Medicaid reform and a tobacco tax were not certified due to an insufficient number of valid signatures.

The complete ballot language is available on the Secretary of State’s Web site at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/.