While attention regarding the November 8 elections has been focused primarily on the presidential race and control of Congress, there were a number of important employment-related issues that voters approved on state ballots.
For example, voters in four more states — Colorado, Arizona, Maine, and Washington — approved ballot measures that implement a gradual increase in the state minimum wage to a level well above the federally mandated minimum wage of $7.25. According to the Department of Labor, there are now 29 states, along with the District of Columbia, with a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum. Voters in Arizona and Washington also approved initiatives calling for implementation of mandated paid sick leave, bringing the total number of states with such laws up to seven.
Two states — Alabama and South Dakota — approved so-called right-to-work-related measures, while Virginia voters rejected a similar effort to add right-to-work language to the state’s constitution.
Members of the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC) can read more here.