State Voters OK Higher Minimum Wages, Block Other Labor Issues (1)

Voters in Arkansas and Missouri approved an increase to their state minimum wages over the next few years, while other labor-backed ballot initiatives had mixed results.

Issue 5 in Arkansas was approved Nov. 6 by a margin of 68 percent to 31 percent, according to state voting results. Proposition B in Missouri got the OK by 62 percent to 37 percent.

Arkansas’ measure will increase the current hourly wage floor from $8.50 to $11 by 2021. The wages will increase incrementally starting Jan. 1, 2019. Missourians will see an increase from the current $7.85 to $12 by Jan. 1, 2023. ...