OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — There was a major step forward in an effort to raise Oklahoma's minimum wage. For months, Raise the Wage Oklahoma, the group leading the push, has been gathering signatures as they hope to gain enough support to get the measure on the ballot.
Supporters said the minimum wage hasn't changed in nearly 15 years, but the price of gas, housing and food has continued to rise.
The effort is to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over the next five years, breaking down to $9 in 2025, $10.50 in 2026, $12 in 2027, $13.50 in 2028, and $15 in 2029.
Raise the Wage has been gathering signatures of support for the past three months.
"We've delivered signatures from all 77 counties in the state," said Amber England, a spokesperson for Raise the Wage.
The group said they needed 92,000 signatures to get the ball rolling.
They ended up nearly doubling that and said almost 180,000 Oklahomans signed the petition.
On Monday, they took the signatures all boxed up and delivered them to the Oklahoma Secretary of State's office.
"320,000 Oklahomans will get a pay raise when state question 832 becomes law. We just know it makes common sense that when gas, groceries and housing keep going up, that wages should too," said England.
Those in support believe it will also help employees.
"A pay increase through the passage of State Question 832 is essential for attracting and maintaining or retaining high quality staff within our schools," said Wilma Bunting, a retired education support professional.
"When our employees are paid a fair wage, they are more productive, more satisfied, and more motivated to do their best work," said Mattece Mason, a small business owner.
However, not everyone agrees.
The State Chamber of Commerce sent News 4 a statement on the petition.
“In the time that SQ 832 has been circulating for signatures, our stance has not changed. This is a disastrous policy that will crush working families through price increases on the heels of record inflation. This ballot initiative is bad for workers, bad for business, and bad for Oklahoma, and we are confident the voters of the State of Oklahoma will concur with our position. We look forward to a vigorous campaign to educate Oklahomans about the initiative that will put corner stores and family farms out of business.”
Ben Lepak- Executive Director, State Chamber Research Foundation
Since our story was broadcasted, the State Chamber sent an updated follow up statement.
SQ 832 harms small businesses and family farms because drives up the cost of everything on the heels of already high inflation. This harms consumers who struggle to pay more for gas and groceries, small businesses, whose costs will increase, and family farms, who already operate on very thin margins.
Oklahoma State Chamber
Those in support are standing firm in their views.
"People are a little bit apprehensive. But when I lay it out and you know that it's going to be over time and they are way more accepting of it," said Mason.
"The next state to pass a ballot measure to raise the minimum wage will be Oklahoma," said Cindy Alexander, a supporter.
The next step is to have each signature verified by the Secretary of State's Office.
If the requirements are met, it would go to a statewide election.
There is no timeline as to when that could happen.
