The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a voter-approved ballot measure gradually raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour and requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to workers.The court rejected claims from business groups that the initiative's ballot summary and cost estimate were misleading and thus amounted to an election irregularity that should invalidate the results.

A coalition of business groups and individuals sued to strike down Proposition A, which Missouri voters passed in November. The new law raising the minimum wage and expands paid sick leave is set to take effect Thursday.