Long Beach to Consider Minimum Wage Hike

With the city and county of Los Angeles already moving ahead with increases to the minimum wage, Long Beach City Council members next week will consider requesting a study on a possible hike, along with potential incentives or fee reductions for businesses and nonprofit groups.

“Considering so many of our neighboring cities and jurisdictions have approved minimum wage increases, it is important for Long Beach to at least look at whether a minimum wage is appropriate here, and what incentives for businesses might be appropriate as well,” Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal said.

Lowenthal authored a motion along with council members Lena Gonzalez, Dee Andrews and Rex Richardson that calls on the city to ask the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation to study potential impacts of a minimum wage ordinance in Long Beach. The LAEDC performed similar a similar study for the county.

The Long Beach council will consider the matter Aug. 11.

Los Angeles city and county have both approved hikes that will push the wage to $15 an hour by 2020, with incremental increases beginning in July 2016.

Business groups have generally opposed the idea, saying that raising the wage could lead to price increases or layoffs.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said he welcomes the discussion about possibly raising the wage.

“We need to ensure that we collect data, study national and local workforce trends and most importantly ensure that the process is open and balanced,” Garcia said. “While appreciate the conversation and work that has happened in Los Angeles and other jurisdictions, Long Beach will look towards creating a policy that reflects the needs and interests of our residents and business community.”

City News Service