New minimum wage in Baltimore

[Yaads 1]

Just saw this and while I think it is great that people will make more money I wonder how it will affect everything else

It's the first state to join dozens of municipalities in setting pay standards for those who do business with government. Workers in rural areas will get an $8.50-an-hour minimum.

The Associated Press

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has signed the nation's first statewide "living wage" law, a measure that requires state contractors to pay workers $11.30 an hour in Baltimore and other areas where it is more expensive to live and at least $8.50 in the rest of the state.

O'Malley, a Democrat, said he pushed for the legislation to make sure that people who work on a contract funded by the state will be treated "in a fair and just and decent way, so that you will be able to put food on your family's table for your day of labor on behalf of the people of our state."

"It's the right thing to do," O'Malley said. "It's the fair thing to do."

Full Article

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Just saw this and while I think it is great that people will make more money I wonder how it will affect everything else

It's the first state to join dozens of municipalities in setting pay standards for those who do business with government. Workers in rural areas will get an $8.50-an-hour minimum.

The Associated Press

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has signed the nation's first statewide "living wage" law, a measure that requires state contractors to pay workers $11.30 an hour in Baltimore and other areas where it is more expensive to live and at least $8.50 in the rest of the state.

O'Malley, a Democrat, said he pushed for the legislation to make sure that people who work on a contract funded by the state will be treated "in a fair and just and decent way, so that you will be able to put food on your family's table for your day of labor on behalf of the people of our state."

"It's the right thing to do," O'Malley said. "It's the fair thing to do."

Full Article

This is great. The state ought to make sure that those that work for companies that gain from doing business with the state are not on the receiving end of welfare programs. The net effect is going to be good for the state. Even if contracts cost a buck or two more, there will be savings on the programs the state sponsors.

Way to go!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

HAHAHA. Higher wages for government contractors means the government will cost more to run. Guess what happens to those higher wages.... HAHAHAHA. Suckers.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

HAHAHA. Higher wages for government contractors means the government will cost more to run. Guess what happens to those higher wages.... HAHAHAHA. Suckers.

Don't think so. It's far worse when employees of state contractors receive food stamps and such despite effectively being on the taxpayers payroll already. If the state can't pull it's weight to provide a living wage then it's hard to lobby businesses to do so.

[Niels Bohr 72]

bye bye Mcdonalds

[Saddle Bronc 124]

bye bye Mcdonalds

...that requires state contractors to pay workers $11.30 an hour in Baltimore and other areas where it is more expensive to live...

Unfortunately, fast-food places (as well as Chinese food or pizza, coffee-bars) could certainly get exemption based on NOT being government contractors per-se. However, it will be unsurprising if these jack-up prices.

[Lewis 0]

Raising the minimum wage in Baltimore again will not fix the crappy school system or bloated government. As of last Monday there were 101 homicides in Baltimore this year, most likely one of the highest totals per capita in the country. One of the biggest reasons it is cheaper to live in Baltimore is because of the crime risk. People need to be educated and alive in order to hold down (most) jobs. This new law has much to do with politics.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Raising the minimum wage in Baltimore again will not fix the crappy school system or bloated government. As of last Monday there were 101 homicides in Baltimore this year, most likely one of the highest totals per capita in the country. One of the biggest reasons it is cheaper to live in Baltimore is because of the crime risk. People need to be educated and alive in order to hold down (most) jobs. This new law has much to do with politics.

Are you using MD-only comparison (where Balto is cheaper than Rockville or Gaithersburg)?

Because it's certainly NOT cheaper to live in Balto than in some other high-job-market areas (Metro Atlanta, DFW Metroplex, RTP, Charlotte, ...) which DON't all have higher crime rates.

[Lewis 0]

Raising the minimum wage in Baltimore again will not fix the crappy school system or bloated government. As of last Monday there were 101 homicides in Baltimore this year, most likely one of the highest totals per capita in the country. One of the biggest reasons it is cheaper to live in Baltimore is because of the crime risk. People need to be educated and alive in order to hold down (most) jobs. This new law has much to do with politics.

Are you using MD-only comparison (where Balto is cheaper than Rockville or Gaithersburg)?

Because it's certainly NOT cheaper to live in Balto than in some other high-job-market areas (Metro Atlanta, DFW Metroplex, RTP, Charlotte, ...) which DON't all have higher crime rates.

Yes, I was just referring to Maryland. I lived in Bmore for a few years. Yes, it is getting expensive. But you can still find affordable single family homes if you are willing to live in questionable neighborhoods. We considered Bmore for our house, then looked to Bmore county and finally settled on Harford. The big clincher was the school system and crime.

[Scott & Lai 12]

People need to be educated and alive in order to hold down (most) jobs.

There are jobs that don't require you to be alive?

[almaty 19]

People need to be educated and alive in order to hold down (most) jobs.

There are jobs that don't require you to be alive?

yeap, paid voter in chicago

[Lewis 0]

People need to be educated and alive in order to hold down (most) jobs.

There are jobs that don't require you to be alive?

yeap, paid voter in chicago

Interesting, dead people also voted in Baltimore in past elections, I don't know if they got paid though. Hendrix and Tupac are still making millions for their heirs along with countless other dead celebrities.

Just pointing out how complex the situation is in Baltimore. Raising the minimum wage is like putting a bandaid on a fire hydrant.