April 2, 2015 VOLU M E 31 | I S SUE 40 | 5 0 ¢
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Minimum wage proposals pass committee
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Legislation gives authority to local government
House committee passed two minimum wage bills last week. House Bill 1300, proposed to reinstate local government’s authority to increase minimum wages. House Concurrent Resolution 1001 proposed to increase the minimum wage, by voter approval. The increase would be a little more than a $1.00 every year starting in 2017 and end at $12.50 by 2020. Comments from fast food workers
What you need to know:
Prior to 1999, local governments in Colorado had the authority to set minimum wage laws in their jurisdictions. In 2006, voters approved Amendment 42 to raise the minimum wage to $6.85. The state minimum wage is now $8.23, driven upward by inflation. Advocates cite numerous studies on both sides of the argument over the impact of higher minimum wages. These arguments center on various economic theories. Some groups argue that increasing the minimum wage will hurt jobs and kill small businesses, while supporters argue that better wages will help build the economy and help citizens out of poverty. Studies surrounding local control and higher wages often use San Francisco, New Jersey, the California city of San Jose and New Mexico as points of interest.
House Bill 1300
Vote: 6-5 Heard by House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Sponsored by Rep. Dominick Moreno, DCommerce City, and Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora “In Colorado, cost of living differs wildly between our state,” Moreno said. “There are places that are much more expensive to live than others … I think it’s a universal value that people who work in an area should be able to afford to live there as well.”
House concurrent resolution 1001
Vote 6-5 Sponsored by Rep. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City and Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora
Views from local representatives Views from opposition
“Unquestionably, all minimum wage laws interfere with right of contract between an individual and an employer — it takes the choice away,” said Patrick Boyle, lobbyist for the Colorado Competitive Council, an affiliate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
“The most local area these decision can be made is between the employer and the employee,” said Rep. Patrick Neville, RFranktown. “I think it’s fair that people who work hard get paid for what they do,” said Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood.
“It’s honestly hard to really live out on your own with just $8.23 an hour,” said Andrew Olson, a Sonic employee. Olson testified that after working 38 hours for two weeks his check came to $68, after taxes and other deductions.
Views from opposition
“We know the impact that an increase on this would have on both employees and businesses in Colorado -- it will cost jobs and close businesses,” said Sonia Riggs, president and CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association and on behalf of the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association.
Views from supporters
POSTAL ADDRESS
HOW THEY VOTED Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock - No Rep. Jack Tate, R-Centennial - No Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood - Yes Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton - Yes
“I think this bill is about two issues, one is justice and one is democracy,” said Dianne Thiel of Denver. “The state can set the floor of a minimum wage but it needs to be up to the local communities to do right by the people living in their community.”
BURNOUT ON C-470 WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
Views from supporters
“Although raising the minimum wage would benefit both men and women, it would disproportionately impact women,” said Michelle Webster, manager of policy and budget analysis at the Colorado Center on Law & Policy. Webster reported that women account for 47 percent of the labor force in Colorado, yet nearly 52 percent of the female workforce would see a rise in income by increasing the minimum wage. “We need an economy that works for everyone in Colorado, and very simply, raising the minimum wage makes good on the promise of work as a pathway out of poverty and spurs economic growth.”
Bus fares may be going up Wheat Ridge City Council hears report on proposed hike
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100
By Hugh Johnson
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Wheat Ridge Transcript 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCI AL WITH US
P LE A S E R ECYC L E T H I S C O PY
Reno Yakavetta was one of a few protesters that are members of 15 Now Colorado, an advocacy group for higher minimum wages, who protested at the State Capitol on March 23. Photo by Amy Woodward
Golden photographer Dave Powers captured a Toyota Tacoma engulfed in flames on Saturday, March 28. No one was injured in the fire, according to Colorado State Patrol. The truck was ablaze on C-470 near Bowles where fire crews from the West Metro Fire Protection responded to the call. Traffic for both west bound and east bound travelers was affected. Photo courtesy Dave Powers
Wheat Ridge city council discussed proposed Regional Transportation District fare increases at the March 23 council meeting. The fees are being increased to reduce the amount of subsidy paid per rider. The basic premise of the change is that RTD is recommending local fares increase from $2.25 to $2.60, express fares from $4.00 to $4.50 and regional routes from $5.00 to $5.50. RTD will add vending machines on buses so patrons can purchase day pass. Day Passes will be double the normal fare and includes unlimited rides. For instance, a day pass for local service would be $5.20, for express it would be $9.00 and $11.00 for regional day passes. RTD is also looking to do away Bus continues on Page 24