Supporters of St. Louis’ increase say it will provide a living wage to the lowest-paid workers.

“Today 35,000 St. Louis workers received a long overdue raise,” National Employment Law Project General Counsel Paul Sonn said in a statement, noting that some 40 other U.S. cities and counties have adopted local minimum wages. “The extra $1,800 a year the average St. Louis worker will earn will help tens of thousands of struggling families — and help the economy as workers spend their paychecks at local businesses.”

Opponents say it will drive businesses and jobs out of the city, hurting the very workers it’s intended to help.

“This move will raise labor costs up to 25 percent for some St. Louis City employers,” Missouri Chamber president and CEO Dan Mehan said in a statement. “In the short run, it will require businesses to scramble to comply with the new law. In the long run, it will cost jobs and set an already struggling St. Louis City economy even further behind.”

Earlier this year, lawmakers in the Missouri House acted quickly on a proposal to nullify the minimum wage increase before the circuit court could lift the injunction. But the bill, which would require all Missouri cities to stick to the statewide standard, has stalled in the Senate.