Introduce yourself and organization *Introduce yourself and organization.* Raise Up Missouri is a coalition of faith, labor, business, & community allies working to raise the wage in Missouri to $8.60 in 2019 and then increase it by 85 cents a year until it reaches $12.00 in 2023. CLICK 1

No one who works full time should have to live in poverty and struggle to make ends meet for their family. No one who works full time should have to live in poverty and struggle to make ends meet for their family. CLICK 2

It’s a simple fact, Missouri’s minimum wage is too low. It’s a simple fact, Missouri’s minimum wage is too low. CLICK 3

Groceries Housing Other basics The cost of The cost of CLICK groceries, CLICK housing and CLICK other basics has gone up for years, but wages haven’t kept pace. CLICK Other basics has gone up for years, but wages haven’t kept pace. 4

Someone in Missouri working full-time for minimum wage only earns $314 per week or just over $16,000 a year. Someone in Missouri working full-time for minimum wage only earns $314 per week or just over $16,000 a year. CLICK 5

Low income and minimum wage workers can’t pay rent, bills, and put food on the table. Take Bettie Douglas for example… Low income and minimum wage workers can’t pay rent, bills and put food on the table. Missouri’s low minimum wage is hurting workers from all walks of life. Take Bettie Douglas for example… CLICK ON LINK 6

Who earns minimum wage? - One in four minimum wage earners is a parent - So the increase would impact over 260,000 children - 2/3 of minimum wage earners are women So… Who earns minimum wage? CLICK One in four minimum wage earners is a parent. CLICK So the increase would impact over 260,000 children CLICK 2/3 of minimum wage earners are women CLICK And over 100,000 workers are seniors - And over 100,000 workers are seniors. 7

In areas outside of KC and St. Louis… Many rural areas will see more than 30 percent of their workers impacted… St. Louis + KC 32 percent - Many rural areas will see more than 30 percent of their workers impacted CLICK raising the wages of over 460,000 CLICK Missourians. CLICK …raising the wages of over 460,000 Missourians - Other 68 percent 8

So where does this lead us? So where does this lead us? CLICK 9

We want to reward the hard work of over 677,000 Missourians by raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. We want to reward the hard work of over 677,000 Missourians by raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. CLICK 10

Raising Missouri’s minimum wage is good for: Businesses Workers Raising Missouri’s minimum wage is good for CLICK businesses, CLICK workers and CLICK the economy. CLICK the Economy 11

Raising the minimum wage will help Missouri workers take care of their families and reward their hard work. Good for workers Raising the minimum wage will help Missouri workers take care of their families and reward their hard work. CLICK 12

Good for businesses Raising the minimum wage will provide an injection of dollars into small, local businesses. Low-wage workers – those most likely to spend their funds in their communities – will be able to spend more for food, clothing, and other necessities. It also helps with employee retention, reducing costs for business owners and developing happier, more loyal employees.  Raising the minimum wage will provide an injection of dollars into small, local businesses. CLICK Low-wage workers – those most likely to spend their funds in their communities, will be able to spend more for food, clothing, and other necessities. CLICK It also helps with employee retention, reducing costs for business owners an developing happier, more loyal employees. CLICK 13

In fact, over 250 Missouri businesses from all across the state have already endorsed the minimum wage increase In fact, over 250 Missouri businesses from all across the state have already endorsed the minimum wage increase. CLICK 14

This is a gradual increase, giving businesses ample time to adjust 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 $$8.60 $$9.45 $10.30 $11.15 $12.00 This will be a gradual increase that CLICK raises the wage 85 cents a year until it reaches $12 by 2023. This will give businesses ample time to adjust. CLICK 15

Good for taxpayers People working full time for minimum wage often have to make use of government programs – food stamps, child care, and others – because the wage is simply too low. Raising the minimum wage will help workers become more self-reliant and reduce the amount of taxpayer assistance they need. Raising the minimum wage benefits Missouri taxpayers, too. People working full time for minimum wage often have to make use of government programs – food stamps, child care, and others – because the wage is simply too low. CLICK Raising the minimum wage will help workers become more self-reliant and reduce the amount of taxpayer assistance they need. CLICK 16

So…what can we do to help bring a decent wage to Missouri? So what can we do to help bring a decent wage to Missouri? CLICK 17

(1) Endorse the campaign TODAY! RaiseUpMo.org As an organization You can endorse the campaign as an organization CLICK business CLICK CLICK As a business 18

(2) Help us get the word out Write a letter to the editor Write an op-ed Join our speaker’s bureau (laura@raiseupmo.org) You can use your voice and help get the word out. This could mean CLICK writing a letter to the editor CLICK writing an op-ed CLICK and/or joining our speaker’s bureau CLICK 19

(3) Volunteer with one of our partners You can also volunteer with one of our partners like Jobs With Justice, Missouri Faith Voices or the Missouri Rural Crisis Center. CLICK 20

Thank you! Thank you! CLICK 21