Local legislators voice opposition of minimum wage initiative

By Jacob Sturm
[email protected]

Legislators Brian Hill, Paul Rosino, Lonnie Paxton and Jack Stewart each voiced opposition of a
circulating potential state question that would double the minimum wage in the state during a luncheon with
Mustang’s Chamber of Commerce this past week.

The Oklahoma Minimum Wage Increase Initiative has a slim chance to appear on ballots in
November for Oklahomans. The ballot measure would increase the state minimum wage to $9
per hour for 2025, would increase the minimum wage to $10.50 per hour in 2026, and see
additional bumps to $12 in 2027, $13.50 in 2028 and $15 in 2029.

Wages are said to be adjusted in 2030 based on inflation if the initiative were to pass.

“The big issue is how it’s tied to national growth, not just what happens here in Oklahoma,”
Paxton said. “…Once again, state questions that get put through like this without any type of
purview and checks and balances… usually end up in a really bad position for the state.”

“… You don’t have to be curious about my opinion of it,” Paxton said. “I don’t like the state
questions that are written that way. Make this an issue that we need to address in the
legislature, but putting it out like this would be a big hindrance for a lot of employers in the
state.”

If the state question does make it to ballots in November, it would be through state question
832.

Rosino also offered his thoughts to chamber of commerce attendees at the luncheon.

“I’m opposed to that,” Rosino said. “I just think the people that run businesses, the people that
have employees, they know what they’re worth.”

Rosino referenced other state questions that have passed that have cost the taxpayers money
due to the ambiguity of the way the question was worded. He said state questions can only
have up to 300 words.

“I am not a fan of the minimum wage (state question) and I think our State Chamber is not a
fan, which is representative of the businesses of the state of Oklahoma,” Rosino said.

Stewart, a state senator representing Yukon, reiterated opposition to the state question
initiative.

“This is just not a win-win for anybody except for those that think they’re going to be able to
work and not do anything and get paid for it,” Stewart said.

Hill referenced out-of-state groups trying to influence Oklahomans as the No. 1 issue. He raised
concerns about the costs that come with the wage increase if passed.

He argued childcare is the issue to talk about with the initiative. He said it can hit close to home
with people in the community.

“If we overinflated up to $15 off the start, we’re going to do some real damage to Oklahoma’s
future,” Hill said. “And so, I think that’s the discussion we should each be having.”