The Long Beach City Council is
considering initiating a Los Angeles
Economic Development Corporation
(LAEDC) study that would
examine the potential effects of local
minimum-wage ordinances, and
certain incentives for businesses and
nonprofits, for the community.
Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal authored
the proposal, co-sponsored
by councilmembers Lena Gonzalez,
Dee Andrews and Rex Richardson.
“Considering so many of our
neighboring cities and jurisdictions
have approved minimum-wage increases,
it is important for Long
Beach to at least look at whether a
minimum wage is appropriate here,
and what incentives for businesses
might be appropriate, as well,”
Lowenthal said.
The agenda item for the Aug. 11
council meeting would direct the
LAEDC to study the aforementioned
subjects about the Long Beach community,
in addition to the City’s
Economic Development Commission
also providing input and feedback
on possible minimum-wage increases
and business incentives. The
LAEDC completed and published
a report to the LA County Board of
Supervisors in June.
Mayor Robert Garcia said he supports
a collaborative and inclusive
conversation about raising the minimum
wage that includes workers,
small businesses and our nonprofits.
“We need to ensure that we collect
data, study national and local workforce
trends and, most importantly,
ensure that the process is open and
balanced,” Garcia said. “While I appreciate
the conversation and work
that has happened in Los Angeles
and other jurisdictions, Long Beach
will look toward creating a policy
that reflects the needs and interests
of our residents and business community.”
Andrews stressed that the report
would benefit residents and business
owners citywide.
“It’s important that we simply get
all the facts, and this report will help
us do that,” Andrews said. “We want
to support our business community
and our workforce, as well as the
families that are in dire need of a
living wage.”
Gonzalez believes the communication
will be a vital asset for all of
those who will be involved.
“I am confident that we can have
a constructive and informed conversation
about the issue and find the
best way to proceed for our City,”
she said. “I am looking forward to
the discussion about what is best for
our entire economy.”
Richardson pointed out that the
discussions will provide a good outlook
on the potential impact raising
wages could have on Long Beach.
“Long Beach families deserve a
seat at the table in the national conversation
on poverty and wages,”
Richardson said. “This study will
give us an opportunity to begin a
true discussion on the benefits and
impacts that raising the wage would
have on Long Beach.”
Pasadena, Santa Monica and West
Hollywood are all exploring raising
the city minimum wage, according
to Lowenthal’s office. In addition to
the City and County of Los Angeles,
other cities that have recently adopted
a minimum wage include San
Diego, Chicago, New York, Washington,
D.C. Seattle and Oakland.
The University of California also
recently adopted a $15 minimum
wage that will be implemented over
the next three years.
Rusty Hicks, executive secretary-
treasurer of the Los Angeles
County Federation of Labor, AFLCIO,
said the Raise the Wage coalition
supports the decision by Garcia
and the Long Beach City Council to
initiate the process for a wage increase
for Long Beach workers.
“We look forward to working
with the City of Long Beach to replicate
the model set in Los Angeles
of a wage increase with strong
enforcement and paid sick days,”
Hicks said. “Almost 40 percent of
Long Beach workers earn less than
$15 [an] hour. A higher minimum
wage in Long Beach will complement
other cities’ efforts and make
a huge impact on working families
in the Southern California region, by
lifting them out of poverty.”
