With the federal minimum wage stuck at $7.25 since 2009, several states are putting wage hikes to a vote in November. Voters in Alaska, California, and Missouri will have the chance to raise their state’s minimum wage, while Arizona and Massachusetts will decide on significant changes affecting tipped workers. Here’s a breakdown of the measures and their potential impact.
Alaska: Stepping Up Wage Protections
- Current Minimum Wage: $11.73/hour (adjusted annually for inflation)
- Ballot Measure: Ballot Measure 1 proposes increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027, with future annual adjustments for inflation.
- Additional Provisions: Employers would also need to provide paid sick leave—up to 56 hours for companies with 15 or more employees and up to 40 hours for smaller firms. Protections for employees who refuse to attend employer-mandated political or religious meetings would also be established.
Alaska last raised its minimum wage in 2014 through a ballot initiative that passed with nearly 70% support. The current proposal seeks to strengthen wage growth and workers’ rights amid rising living costs.