Minimum wage in Oklahoma: voters reject increase in primary election

OKLAHOMA CITY –

Oklahoma voters rejected a plan to raise the state’s minimum wage in Tuesday’s primary election. State Question 832 would have increased minimum pay in Oklahoma from $7.25 an hour to $15 by the year 2029. In 2030, there would be an automatic increase, consistent with the cost of living, without legislative approval.

The “no” votes against SQ 832 came in at 57% and the “yes” votes at 43%.

Amber England, spokesperson for Raise the Wage, conceded defeat and told Oklahoma’s Own, “Regardless of what the election results show, and that means what I know is that we won, regardless of what the results show, because we started a conversation about what work should mean in the state of Oklahoma, that if you work hard, you should earn a decent living. That doesn’t change tonight; it’s not going to change tomorrow.”

Chad Warmington, President and CEo of the State Chamber of Oklahoma applauded the results.

In a statement sent Tuesday night, Warmington said, “Tonight, voters chose to protect Oklahoma’s economic momentum and one of our greatest competitive advantages: affordability. The reality is wages in Oklahoma are already being driven up by a strong labor market, not government mandates. Oklahoma businesses are competing for talent, investing in their people, and helping move our state forward.”

Oklahoma’s Minimum Wage has not increased since 2009. Supporters and volunteers with “Raise the Wage” say a raise is long overdue.

“The cost of everything has gone up. Gas, groceries, housing, and the minimum wage has stayed the same,” said Amber Englund, Chair of Raise the Wage Campaign. “What that means is too many hard-working Oklahomans are having a hard time keeping up. And we just believe it’s time that the costs rise, so should wages.”

Melissa Meyers is the owner of Christ Centered Lawn and Landscaping, and she is also the Tulsa County GOP Chairman. Meyers says 832 will hurt small businesses like hers.

“Because the government is forcing business owners to tell them where to start, where to stop. And this will be ever increasing per the bill language, which is really messy,” said Meyers.

Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, a Republican who is term-limited and leaving office this year, is publicly endorsing State Question 832 ahead of the June 16 vote, arguing the measure would help workers earn a living wage and reduce reliance on government assistance.