Press Releases

Arkansas Business Owners Back Issue 5 as Court Determines Minimum Wage Initiative Stays on Ballot

Arkansas business owners and the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce speak in support of Issue 5, the minimum wage initiative that today cleared a final hurdle to appear on the November ballot, because increasing wages will be good for businesses and the economy

CONTACT:
 Erin Musgrave, (530) 864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

Little Rock, Oct. 18, 2018 — Arkansas business owners and the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce are speaking out today in support of raising the minimum wage as the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled to keep Issue 5 on the November ballot. Issue 5 would gradually raise Arkansas’ current minimum wage of $8.50 an hour to $9.25 on Jan. 1, 2019, $10 in 2020, and $11 in 2021.

Business Support Grows for Raising Missouri Minimum Wage: More than 400 Business Owners Endorse Statement Backing Prop B

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, erin@emcstrategies.com, (530) 864-7014

St. Louis, Sept. 13, 2018 — More than 400 business owners and executives across the state have signed the Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage statement supporting Proposition B—an initiative on the November ballot that will gradually raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $12 by 2023. Business leaders continue to sign on regularly because, as the statement says, they support “raising Missouri’s minimum wage because it’s good for business, customers and our local economy.”

Missouri Businesses Support $12 Minimum Wage as Secretary of State Certifies Proposition B for the November Ballot

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, (530) 864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com
Jefferson City, Mo., Aug. 2, 2018 [Updated] — Missouri business owners are speaking in support of raising the minimum wage to $12 as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certified signatures today to put Proposition B on the November ballot. More than 350 Missouri business leaders have already endorsed Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage’s statement supporting raising the minimum wage to $12 by 2023 because it will boost consumer spending, strengthen the economy, reduce employee turnover, increase productivity, improve customer service, and level the playing field among businesses.

Wages and Consumer Spending are Stagnating as the Federal Minimum Wage Marks Nine Years Without a Raise

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, erin@emcstrategies.com, 530-864-7014

July 23, 2018—July 24 will mark nine years since the federal minimum wage was last increased. Since reaching $7.25 an hour in 2009, the federal minimum wage has lost nearly 15 percent of its buying power. Full-time minimum wage workers make just $15,080 a year. Twenty-one states have minimum wages at or below the federal minimum and various other states have minimum wages that are above $7.25 an hour, but still inadequate. Business owners across the country are calling for the minimum wage to be raised to benefit businesses and the economy.

MA Business Owners Applaud $15 Minimum Wage Being Signed Into Law Thursday; More than 300 Business Leaders Endorsed Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement Backing Increase to $15

Contact: Bob Keener, 617-610-6766, bob@businessforafairminimumwage.org
or Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

BOSTON, June 27, 2018 – Business owners across Massachusetts are voicing support for raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, which Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to sign into law Thursday. More than 300 business leaders endorsed the Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement advocating a $15 minimum wage and many testified at hearings and spoke at public events around the state in support.

Business Owners Call for Action as Eight-Year Anniversary of $7.25 Federal Minimum Wage Approaches on July 24

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave, 530-864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

July 18, 2017—July 24 will mark eight years since the federal minimum wage was last increased. Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 – worth less than it was in 1950, adjusted for the cost of living. Business owners and executives across the country are speaking out in support of raising the minimum wage to strengthen businesses and boost consumer buying power.

Business Owners Urge Governor to Sign Illinois $15 Minimum Wage Bill

CONTACT:
 Erin Musgrave, (530) 864-7014, erin@emcstrategies.com

Chicago, IL, June 9, 2017 – Today Chicagoland business owner David Borris, owner of Hel’s Kitchen Catering, urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign recently-passed legislation gradually raising the state’s minimum wage to $15. Borris joined State Rep. Will Guzzardi and State Sen. Omar Aquino at a press conference supporting the bill that the Illinois General Assembly passed last week.