Voters in Three States Approve Paid Sick Leave, Two States Opt to Raise Minimum Wage

Private employers in three states will now need to provide earned paid sick leave for eligible employees after voters approved ballot measures in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska.

In Alaska, the Minimum Wage Increase and Paid Sick Leave Initiative, also known as Ballot Measure 1, passed with nearly 57 percent of the vote.

This initiative, initiated through a citizen petition, outlines a gradual increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027. It allows employees at companies with 15 or more workers to accrue up to 56 hours of paid sick leave annually. Currently, Alaska’s minimum wage is $11.73 per hour.

Smaller businesses, with fewer than 15 employees, must offer up to 40 hours of sick leave. The measure also includes safeguards for workers who choose not to attend employer-sponsored meetings on religious or political matters.

The Alaska measure faced opposition from various business groups concerned about potential financial strains on small businesses, especially those with thin profit margins.

In Missouri, Proposition A was approved by nearly 58 percent of voters.

This proposition sets Missouri’s minimum wage on a trajectory to reach $15 per hour by 2026, starting with an initial increase to $13.75 by 2025. Missouri’s current minimum wage is $12.30 per hour.

Proposition A also mandates that employers provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, aligning with Alaska’s policy.

Although some business organizations opposed the proposal, no organized campaign was established. A group of business owners released a joint statement expressing their disappointment with the outcome, emphasizing their belief that Missouri businesses are best equipped to operate without additional government mandates.

Nebraska’s Initiative 436, known as the Paid Sick Leave Initiative, received strong support, with 74 percent in favor.

With this approval, Nebraska employees can now accrue paid sick leave for personal or family health needs. Businesses with 20 or more employees must provide up to seven days per year, while smaller businesses offer up to five days.

Advocates highlighted that around 250,000 Nebraskans working full-time lacked access to paid sick leave, often facing the choice between working while ill or losing pay.

Supporters of Initiative 436, led by Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans, backed by a coalition of progressive advocacy, labor, and community groups, emphasized the scarcity of paid sick leave in industries like food service, construction, retail, and transportation. They believe this new policy will enable workers to care for themselves and their families without jeopardizing job security or financial stability.

Despite the passage of these measures, some small business owners in all three states have expressed concerns. Critics argue that paid sick leave requirements add complexity to the competitive market, particularly for smaller employers already balancing competitive wages and benefits.