By Emilie Cameron, Policy & Advocacy Manager at DSP

Cities throughout California’s coastal communities are increasing the minimum wage, in some cases, as high as $16/hour like the City of Emeryville. Now, the City of Sacramento is discussing raising the local minimum wage. Some of the first proposals being circulated would increase Sacramento’s minimum wage range from $13.50 to as much as $15 per hour.

Last month the Mayor announced an “Income Inequality Taskforce” will develop a proposal to present to City Council later this summer. Should
Sacramento increase the minimum wage, the City would be the only one in the Central Valley to implement a raise above the state directed minimum of $10 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

In 2014, nearly 90 percent of downtown business owners surveyed by Downtown Partnership opposed any increase the minimum wage. Survey respondents, consisting of downtown Sacramento businesses and community groups, raised concerns that the city would be placed at a competitive disadvantage with other jurisdictions within the region, leading to fewer local businesses locating downtown and more property vacancies.

Increasing the minimum wage exclusively in Sacramento would put downtown at a competitive disadvantage relative to surrounding municipalities. This is an important time for downtown; an even playing field is crucial to leverage the City’s investment in a new arena to lure new visitors, employers, and investors.

Take Action: No wage increase should be enacted alone. Last week, Downtown Partnership joined a number of community partners to launch Keep Sacramento Working.

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