FE-4: Fremont Minimum Wage Implementation Act

[pikachu]

Is there a way we could index the minimum wage to the cost of living of the local area? Like the people of San Francisco and eastern Wyoming likely need significantly different minimum wages to live a decent life.

[pikachu]

Just to further my previous point, the MIT living wage calculator shows the disparity of living wages across the country. Within our own region, there is a $6 different between the living wages needed in metropolitan areas Hawaii and those in North Dakota. While my policy writing isn't the best, I think that we should use a tiered system of some sort to mandate different minimum wages for different tiers of cost-of-living. For some parts of this region, $11.50/hour doesn't come close to cutting it, while for others, that's enough to be able to live okay.

[pikachu]

I honestly think this bill as is is not terrible. I do think a possible reduction or allowing states to set there own may not be as bad. But I am nervous that would lead to a race to the bottom.

I think it kind of comes down to how we can exactly tie in the minimum wage to a county/city/metro area's cost of living, and that local jurisdictions would not be able to make the wage lower than that.

[pikachu]

Honestly Tips should not be dependent upon for living. Maybe it could be lower but only by a dollar or two (say $10.00) but nothing lower.

I agree, I'd prefer that tipped workers be able to rely on something a bit more stable.

[pikachu]

Aye

[pikachu]

At the moment, I'm fine with the amended version of the bill, though considering this is a new Assembly, if you guys want to debate more, that'd be cool with me.