FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
CONTACT: SEAN SPENCE
614-208-2608; seanspence@earthlink.net

MONTEE: “BLUNT AND THOMAS OPPOSE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, I’LL TRUST THE VOTERS.”

ST JOSEPH, MO – In a statement today, State Auditor candidate Susan Montee (D – St. Joseph) affirmed her support for the ballot measure to raise Missouri’s minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $6.50/hour with annual increases for inflation. Her statement came in response to potential Republican nominee Sandra Thomas’ stand with Governor Blunt, opposing the minimum wage increase.

“No one who works full-time should live in poverty,” Montee said. “Raising the minimum wage shows that we value hard work over welfare and will save taxpayers money.”

Montee continued, “It is disappointing that Sandra Thomas can’t show some independence from the governor and support an increase to Missouri’s minimum wage. Missouri’s working families have struggled for nine years without a raise to the minimum wage and I trust the election will show that the voters are ready for one.”

Two Republican candidates for State Auditor emerged from last week’s primary election, which will be settled in the coming weeks with a recount.

Susan Montee – Certified Public Accountant, attorney and elected county auditor – is the Democratic nominee for Missouri State Auditor.

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For information about the minimum wage and its impact on working families and business, visit the Web site for The Economic Policy Institute at http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/issueguides_minwage_minwagefacts.