JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Over 210,000 signatures were collected across the state to put earned sick leave and a higher minimum wage on the 2024 state ballot.

Missourians for Health Families and Fair Wages, low-wage workers, and supporters gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to submit the signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office.

“It would be a lot easier to where we don’t have to choose which bill is going to be paid or what’s going to be shut off,” said Marieta Ortiz, a restaurant worker in Kansas City. “As a single parent, that’s a constant worry.”

The measure says Missouri workers would earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and would raise the minimum wage to $13.75 by Jan. 1, 2025 and $15 by Jan. 1, 2026.

Ortiz says she felt excited and overwhelmed turning in the signatures she helped collect before going to work. Recently, she said she got sick and had to take 4 days off of work.

“So, I missed 90 hours’ worth plus tips worth of pay and a bill was still due later that week and it got shut off,” said Ortiz. “Looking at my kids, they ask why the water, lights, or gas got shut off and it just broke my heart. I feel like a horrible mom when my bills are due and I can’t afford them because I have no paid sick days.”

If allowed on the state ballot and passed, she says it would be a weight off her and thousands of other low wage workers’ shoulders.

“Help us low wage workers be able to provide better for our families,” said Ortiz. “We don’t have to worry about the lights, gas, water, or being evicted from our place.”

The signatures will now go through a verification process by the Secretary of State’s Office. If approved, it will go on the state ballot later this year.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A fallen Kansas City police officer will be honored by Missouri leaders.

The names of Ofc. James Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ will be among the fallen officers whose names will be added to the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial’s Wall of Honor Saturday in Jefferson City.

They will also be honored during a candlelight vigil at the memorial Friday evening.

Muhlbauer and Champ died on Feb. 15, 2023, while on patrol. Jerron Lightfoot, 20, was speeding and ran a red light before he hit Muhlbauer’s police vehicle. The collision also killed 52-year-old Jesse Eckes, who was walking nearby.

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Last week, a Jackson County judge sentenced Lightfoot to 10-years in prison.

Before Lightfoot was sentenced, he took full responsibility for the tragedy and he hopes that the families can forgive him.

There are three other officers who will also be honored during the weekend’s ceremonies.

Hermann Police Department Detective Sergeant Mason E. Griffith was shot and killed by a gunman after Griffith while responding to a call at a convenience store. Griffith died March 12, 2023.

Kelly Rolando died in a head-on crash Oct. 22, 2023. He worked for the Missouri Department Corrections at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo.

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Missouri Department of Corrections Functional Unit Manager Jason Pulliam died on Oct. 15, 2021. He passed away after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Friday’s candlelight service will take place at the Law Enforcement Memorial at the Missouri State Capitol on North Capitol Drive in Jefferson City. The service begins at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s memorial service will be held at the same location. The service begins at 10 a.m. and will also be livestreamed on the Department of Public Safety Facebook page.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.