Andrews Releases Statement on Minimum Wage Vote
Montgomery County Councilmember Phil Andrews released this statement after the Council’s 8-1 (Andrews opposed), minimum wage vote.
“Last month, I joined all of my colleagues in passing a resolution urging the state to significantly raise the minimum wage. That was, and still is, the best approach.
“I am disappointed that the County Council has rushed ahead and unnecessarily adopted a minimum wage bill that is so flawed. Here are the problems with this minimum wage bill – problems that a state minimum wage law would not have:
1) The County minimum wage bill doesn’t apply to employers within several municipalities within the County, including Poolesville, Laytonsville, Barnesville, Chevy Chase Village and Glen Echo. Other municipalities that are currently covered by the bill could choose to opt out. In contrast, a state minimum wage law covers all municipalities and counties, and all of the businesses in them doing business anywhere in Maryland.
2) The County minimum wage bill may not apply to employers whose offices are outside of the County but whose employees do work in Montgomery. Landscaping and construction companies are among the types of companies that may be based outside of Montgomery County and have substantial numbers of employees that are likely paid the minimum wage and who do a considerable amount of work in Montgomery County. In contrast, a state minimum wage law covers all employers in Maryland. The County law may result in employers who are currently located in Montgomery moving their headquarters out of the county to avoid the law – or more likely, result in businesses choosing not to locate here to avoid being subject to a minimum wage that may be substantially higher than surrounding counties and/or the rest of the state.
3) The General Assembly will convene in a few weeks, and it appears likely that the Assembly will approve an increase in the minimum wage. Governor O’Malley has already said he favors a significant increase. Montgomery County’s minimum wage law would not take effect until October 1, 2014, so there is no harm in waiting to see where the state ends up. Following state action, the Council can make an informed decision as to what the level of a minimum wage increase should be in Montgomery County relative to the state. No person who would benefit from the County law would have lost any increase in wages, because the County would have ample time to act this spring, and the effective date would not need to be any later than the current proposed effective date of October 1, 2014.
4) This County bill will create unrealistic expectations among county residents (and non-residents) who work in the County and make the minimum wage now, who deserve a raise, but who would not be covered by this bill.
All of these problems could have been avoided by the County Council without doing any harm. Instead, the Council unwisely chose to rush ahead.”
Related stories:
Minimum Wage Increase in County Takes Effect July 1
Some Montgomery County employees will receive bigger paychecks beginning July 1 when the minimum wage is raised here. Every year since 2017, the minimum wage has increased on July 1 and that will continue through 2022. The amount of the increase depends on how many employees work at a business. For companies with at least […]
Five Things to Know for July 1 in Montgomery County
July is here! Yes, we’re serious, even though it is International Joke Day. 1. Minimum Wage Increase: The minimum wage in Montgomery County increases today to $14 for large employers, $13.25 for mid-sized employers and $13 for small employers. Please see updated minimum wage graphic. The minimum wage will rise in the County on July […]
Montgomery County Minimum Wage Will Increase on July 1
The minimum wage in Montgomery County will increase on Wednesday, July 1. A bill signed into legislation on November 17, 2017, raises the minimum wage each July 1 until it reaches $15 per hour in 2022. The amount the minimum wage is raised is determined by the number of workers employed at a business. For […]
Montgomery County Minimum Wage Increase Effective July 1
The minimum wage in Montgomery County will increase on July 1. The amount of the increase depends on the number of employees in a business. Minimum wage for employers with 51 or more employees will rise to $13 per hour, while employers with 50 or fewer employees will see the minimum rise to $12.50 per […]
Minimum Wage Increase Effective July 1 in Montgomery County
The minimum wage will increase in Montgomery County beginning on July 1. The new law, signed by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett in 2017, states that County businesses with 51 or more employees must pay workers $12.50 per hour. Employers with 50 or fewer workers will be required to pay employees $12 hourly. The minimum […]
Madaleno Plans to Introduce $15-an-Hour Minimum Wage Bill in Maryland
On a day where people across the state are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in community service projects, Maryland State Senator Richard Madaleno held a rally for legislation he plans to introduce that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour in the state of Maryland. “We wanted to use this […]
County Report This Week (VIDEO)
Lorna Virgili hosts the latest episode of County Report This Week with news and information for Montgomery County. First, County Executive Ike Leggett signs the minimum wage bill into law earlier this week. The minimum wage increases to $15 by 2024. Next is a report by Susan Kenedy on a job fair at the East […]
Berliner Meets the Media, Nov. 13 (VIDEO)
Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner discusses the appointment of Marlene Michaelson to council administrator, the minimum wage, the LaHood document on Metro and Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn’s visit to a council committee this week.
Leggett Signs Minimum Wage Legislation (VIDEO)
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett signed legislation Monday to enact the long-debated $15 an hour minimum wage. “This is a big day for Montgomery County, but more importantly it is a big day for workers not only throughout Montgomery county and but hopefully throughout this state and around this nation,” Leggett said, at a ceremony […]
Five Things to Know for Nov. 13 in Montgomery County
Here’s five things to know today, Nov. 13, in Montgomery County: 1. Council Action: County Council President Roger Berliner meets with the media at 11 a.m. The counci’s Education Committee meets at 2 p.m. to discuss school system performance tracking. 2. County Executive Action: Executive Ike Leggett signs the legislation raising the county’s minimum wage […]
Thanks for publishing this – it’s good to hear the logic that went into making this decision. It would also be interesting to hear why the other 8 councilmembers felt differently.