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Board delays certification votes on minimum wage and earned sick time ballot proposals

The Board of State Canvassers has delayed a vote on a pair of ballot initiatives – over a timing issue. A meeting got contentious today. That’s because a group opposing proposals to increase the minimum wage and require earned sick time, said the board had to wait one more day to vote.

Mark Brewer is an attorney for both of the initiatives. He said the opposition is using stall tactics to keep the proposal off the ballot.

“You got the law on your side, argue the law. You got the facts on your side argue the facts. You got neither, throw a fit. This was a big fit.”

       The concern is that if the board doesn’t certify the proposals soon, they won’t make it onto the November ballot.

       But the opposition to the proposals says the law is clear – once the board’s staff releases its report on whether to certify proposals, the board has to wait two business days before it can vote.

       The staff recommended the board certify both proposals. The board is now scheduled to meet again tomorrow.