Mo. plan would stop minimum wage increases for tipped workers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Minimum pay for restaurant servers and other Missouri workers who depend on tips would not increase under legislation endorsed by the House. Missouri voters approved a ballot measure in 2006 increasing the state's minimum wage each year for inflation. This year, the state's wage floor is $7.05. Tipped employees' wages must be at least half that, or $3.525. The House bill stops the annual wage increases in July for tipped employees. Supporters say if the increase went through, base pay for tipped employees would rise to $3.62. House leaders cut off debate after about an hour Wednesday. The legislation needs another vote to move to the Senate.