Minimum Wage Rises in Six States

On Election Day last November, voters in 37 states considered 205 state initiatives and referendums. Below are some of the key business-related measures.

Minimum Wage: Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and Ohio passed legislation to increase the minimum wage above the federally mandated $5.15 an hour. Ohio voters approved the largest increase, going to $6.85 an hour. Currently, 23 states have set their minimum wages higher than the federal level.

Taxes: Californians rejected a measure that would have taxed oil producers in the state $4 billion to spur the use of alternative fuels. In addition, they passed a ballot initiative that severely restricts the conditions under which the state sales tax on gasoline can be used for purposes other than transportation improvements.

Washington state voters rejected a measure to repeal the 19% state death tax. Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon voters rejected a Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR), which would limit taxes and government expenditures.

Immigration Reform: Colorado voters approved an initiative that denies state tax credits to employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. An initiative requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government to enforce immigration laws also passed in Colorado. Arizona passed four anti-immigration ballot measures by a 3-to-1 margin, though none directly sanction or penalize employers.

Eminent Domain: Voters in nine states-Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, and South Carolina-passed eminent domain initiatives to strengthen private property protections. Voters in California, Idaho, and Washington state rejected these initiatives.