Thursday, May 17, 2007

94 - Progressive Victory! Maryland Enacts First Living Wage Requirement For State Government Contracts

Maryland has passed the first statewide living wage statute.

Under the law, employers with state contracts will generally have to pay workers a minimum amount — $11.30 an hour in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and $8.50 an hour in the rural counties, where wages and prices are usually lower.

Among those workers mostly likely to be lifted above the poverty line by this measure are those who work for employers providing janitorial, landscaping, security, parking attendant and food services.

Getting this living wage bill passed was a titanic effort extending over a 10 year period.

I wonder if you'll find some of the things said by the bill's supporters, as inspiring as I did. For example, Governor Martin O'Malley:

What this bill simply says is, 'If you're working on a contract funded by the people of Maryland, we are going to treat you in a fair and just way so you can put food on the table for your family after a day's work.'

...Let's now go on to debunk right-wing talking points on this issue...

Please listen to the podcast for all the details.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Jack Clark 3:55 PM [+]   6 comments
Post #7238493846996977094