Is the Minimum Wage Now A Matter for City Hall? Yes, At Least in Santa Fe

Many cities have considered and/or adopted so called 'living wage ordinances' which generally set a minimum wage that is higher than the federally mandated standard. Almost always they are limited to city employees and city contractors. However, Santa Fe has taken it one step further and extended it all private and non-profit employers within the city limits of Santa Fe, if they have at least 25 employees. Next year the minimum wage will be $8.50 an hour and it will go up to $10.50 by 2007. The New York Times has the story and so does the U.S. Newswire. And for more information from the group that was pushing the ordinance check out the Santa Fe Living Wage Network.