Missouri teens could soon earn less than the state’s minimum wage.
A bill pre-filed for the upcoming legislative session would allow employers to pay workers under 18 a lower rate.
Missouri Republican State Senator Joe Nicola, who represents part of the Kansas City area, told Missourinet that he’s heard from several businesses that employ teens.
Joe Nicola, Missouri State Senator. Photo courtesy of Joe Nicola’s Chief of Staff Jodi Widhalm.
“They’re actually not going to have the chance to be employed in our region because it’s so much more expensive,” said Nicola. “These employers would rather, if they’re going to have to pay eventually 15, then they might as well get an adult that’s got some work experience.”
Nicola told Missourinet that he was approached by small businesses in his district about making this change.
“Working with them, the bill was a result of that,” said Nicola. “I think our state is still in a really good range, paying our young people and if these higher minimum wages are going to affect their jobs and there’ll be less jobs as a result, then really, we need to do something because we want the young people to get into the workforce.”
Under the proposal, teens could earn $12.30 an hour—less than Missouri’s current $13.75 minimum wage, which jumps to $15 on January 1st.
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