A $20-an-hour minimum wage proposal for workers employed by Allegheny County is drawing firm opposition from several members of County Council including Republican Sam DeMarco.
“Truly for publicity and political theater and this ordinance incredibly poorly written. Unfortunately, some people don’t realize money doesn’t grow on trees. All the money we get comes from tax payers in one way, shape, or form. Even money we get from the state or government comes from tax payers.”
Council member Bethany Hallam, who introduced the bill in June, says DeMarco just opposes the bill, adding that she opened the floor for amendments during a debate but no concerns were brought up by DeMarco or any other council member.
DeMarco also has concerns over the $5.6 million price tag, but Hallam says the county has plenty of money in its rainy-day fund between $30-$40 million to cover the pay increases for full, part-time and seasonal workers.
Hallam also states that County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proposed a similar bill when he was on council.
Fitzgerald's office says the bill violates the county charter and that negotiating contracts is the executive's job.
If the bill passes committee and general council, it would go into effect in January.
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