JEFFERSON CITY - The failure of Democrats Robin Carnahan and Claire McCaskill to correct flawed ballot language approved by unsuspecting Missourians to increase the state’s minimum wage has raised statewide concerns over the additional costs associated with the omission of federal overtime rules for public safety workers.

Carnahan, as secretary of state, and former state auditor McCaskill, both failed to note the omission of federal law that allows public safety workers to work more than 40 hours a week without triggering overtime pay and instead allowed the measure, known as Proposition B, to be put before voters last November. As part of their duties, Carnahan and McCaskill are responsible for reviewing ballot language and the costs associated with ballot proposals.

Robin Carnahan and Claire McCaskill failed to properly review this ballot measure and ultimately voters approved a flawed proposal that public safety officials have said would strain the budgets of local communities to the point where services and workers would have to be eliminated,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “There is no excuse for this type of incompetence and Missouri voters need to look no further than Carnahan and McCaskill to find the individuals responsible for jeopardizing important public safety functions in our state.”