* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Support for the Governor's Agenda - Raising the State Minimum Wage
FOR the purpose of calling upon the State legislature to enact and the Governor to sign legislation to raise the State minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2016, index the minimum wage to inflation to keep pace with the rising cost of living, and increase the minimum wage for tipped workers from 50 percent to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage.
body
WHEREAS, the minimum wage in Maryland is only $7.25 per hour, or $15,000 a year for a full-time, year round worker. The $7.25 level has been in effect since 2009.
WHEREAS, the State minimum wage would be over $10 per hour had it kept pace with the rising cost of living over the last forty years.
WHEREAS, the current State minimum wage leaves full-time earners and their families below the federal poverty line.
WHEREAS, 86% of low-wage workers are adults (over 20 years old), 77% work more than 20 hours a week, and nearly half have at least some college education.
WHEREAS, approximately 350,000 Maryland children have at least one parent who would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage.
WHEREAS, the minimum wage is becoming more important than ever to Maryland's economy as more workers rely on low-wage jobs to make ends meet and as job growth since the recession has been disproportionately concentrated in low-wage occupations.
WHEREAS, the most rigorous academic research shows that raising the minimum wage boosts incomes of low-paid workers without reducing employment, even during periods of high unemployment.
WHEREAS, an increase in the minimum wage could lift thousands of Baltimore families and children out of poverty.
WHEREAS, minimum wage earners are disproportionately women and people of color.
WHEREAS, raising Maryland's minimum wage to $10.10 per hour will generate over $490 million in new consumer spending.
WHEREAS, raising Maryland's minimum wage will support the creation of 4,280 new full-time jobs as businesses expand to meet increased consumer demand.
WHEREAS, raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour will also directly and indirectly boost pay for over half a million low-wage workers.
WHEREAS, twenty-one states have raised their minimum wages above the federal rate.
WHEREAS, ten states index the minimum wage each year to keep pace with the rising cost of living - a key protection to prevent the minimum wage from eroding again.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, that the Council supports legislation to raise the State minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2016, index the minimum wage to inflation to keep pace with the rising cost of living, and increase the minimum wage for tipped workers from 50 percent to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House Speaker, the Mayor, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr14-757(3)~intro/22Jan14
ccres/StateWageBill/sm:tw
dlr14-757(3)~intro/22Jan14
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ccres/StateWageBill/sm:tw