Poll results indicate support for a minimum wage hike

We asked about the effort to raise the minimum wage in Kansas City. Here are the results of the unscientific survey, based on more than 500 responses.

1) The current proposal before the council sounds fair: bump the minimum wage from the current $7.65 an hour to $8.50 an hour on Aug. 24; to $9.15 an hour in January 2017; then in 65-cent increments annually to $13 an hour in 2023.

Strongly agree 32%

Agree 16%

Disagree 18%

Strongly disagree 33%

2) A proposed local citizens initiative is the best approach. It aggressively sets the wage to $10 an hour on Sept. 1 and then incrementally to $15 an hour in 2020.

Strongly agree 56%

Agree 12%

Disagree 8%

Strongly disagree 24%

3) The business community has legitimate reasons to oppose any large increase, partly because it could eliminate jobs and force some shops to close or move elsewhere.

Strongly agree 20%

Agree 8%

Disagree 20%

Strongly disagree 52%

4) Missouri voters should be given the chance through a citizens petition or by the General Assembly to approve a statewide increase in the minimum wage, which would affect more people.

Strongly agree 54%

Agree 22%

Disagree 11%

Strongly disagree 13%