Leggett Vetoes $15 Minimum Wage Legislation (VIDEO)

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has vetoed legislation that would have raised the minimum wage to $15 by 2020.

“The only way to express my position regarding this bill at this time is to reluctantly veto and return it to you with what I believe is a more reasonable path to moving the county to a $15 wage,” wrote Leggett in a Jan. 23 memo to County Council President Roger Berliner. The County Council passed the legislation last week by a 5-4 vote. Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Tom Hucker, George Leventhal, Nancy Navarro and Hans Riemer supported the legislation. Councilmembers Berliner, Nancy Floreen, Sidney Katz and Craig Rice opposed it.

In a video statement (see below) on Monday, Leggett says he has several reservations about the legislation including “the time, circumstances and conditions.”

https://youtu.be/BNTAmCGtkFw

According to Leggett, for him to agree with the bill, it should:

• Be based on an expeditious study in the direct and indirect financial impacts on private employers, nonprofits and county government;
• Include an exemption for small business;
• Include an exemption for youth workers;
• Provide for reaching $15/hour in 2022.

Leggett said he believes a revised bill that addresses these issues will result in a better outcome for Montgomery County residents and businesses.

Earlier in the day, Berliner said he expected the county executive to veto the legislation.

According to Berliner, a veto would reset the conversation.

“It isn’t about saying no, it is about finding a better balance,” said Berliner.

About Sonya Burke

Sonya Burke is the Multimedia Manager at Montgomery Community Media (MCM). You can email story ideas at sburke@mymcmedia.org or reach her on Twitter @SonyaNBurke.

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