State Issues

Mandated Wages

Oppose policies that execute government-imposed wage mandates that do not consider regional economic conditions and/or the impacts to local employers.

SB 1167 (Maldonado) Minimum Wage Increase (March 2006)
 

This bill would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour, effective on and after September 1, 2006, and would further increase the minimum wage to $7.75 per hour, effective on and after July 1, 2007. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
 

The Fresno Chamber is generally OPPOSED to government mandated wages increases, but should consider supporting SB 1167 if:
 

- Exempt pay is unbundled from any minimum wage increase.
- Provides a concession for depressed counties with high unemployment
- Over time pay is paid after 40 hours worked in a week, as opposed to after an 8 hour day.

SB 1162 Minimum Wage Increase (Cedillo) (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposes SB 1162 because it would increase the minimum wage top 7.25 immediately, and to 7.75 on 7/1/07

AB 1835 Minimum Wage (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposes AB 1835 because this bill increases minimum wage to $7.25 per hour effective 7/1/07, and to $7.75 per hour effective 7/1/08. Beginning 1/1/09, and each 1/1 thereafter the minimum wage is automatically adjusted to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

Living Wage Ordinance (May 2006)
 

A living wage ordinance is being proposed by the Community Alliance for a Fair Economy that would require anyone contracting with the city for $50,000 or more to pay employees at least $10 per hour and provide health insurance coverage or $11.50 an hour without benefits.

A living wage ordinance requires employers to pay wages that are above federal or state minimum wage levels. Only a specific set of workers are covered by living wage ordinances, usually those employed by businesses that have a contract with a city or county government or those who receive economic development subsidies from the locality. The rationale behind the ordinances is that city and county governments should not contract with or subsidize employers who pay poverty-level wages.
 

The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce opposes the consideration of a living wage ordinance in the city of Fresno based on the fact the Chamber opposes mandated wages by the government, and the estimated impact it will have on the greater business community.

Contact Kerri Ginis, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or kginis@fresnochamber.com