In what critics called a “symbolic, feel-good measure,” Howard County now will require its contractors to pay a sufficient minimum wage.
“The free market should dictate labor rates,” said Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5, the lone member to vote against the so-called living wage bill at a council meeting this week.
Councilman Calvin Ball, D-District 2, introduced the legislation, co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, D-District 3.
The push to set wage requirements sends the community an anti-business message, Fox said.
The Howard County Chamber of Commerce echoed his view.
“We don?t think that is good policy,” said Heidi Gaasch, the chamber?s director of government and community affairs.
The measure excludes several groups from the requirements, such as nonprofits, small businesses and other government entities.
To show how the council was hypocritical in requiring these wages for some entities and not others, Fox introduced 10 amendments removing the exceptions, but he did not vote for the amendments.
“The answer ? ?It?s what other jurisdictions do? ? is not acceptable,” he said, referring to the exemptions. Ball said nearly 130 jurisdictions nationwide have similar laws, including Baltimore City.
Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4, said she had been concerned that Howard was requiring contractors to pay more than it was paying some of its own workers.
However, the administration has said it will not hire at a lower wage, she said, and it?s an issue the council can revisit later.
Ball said the measure includes an annual reporting requirement by the county purchasing agent, which will allow officials to monitor its impact.
“We need to set an example for doing what?s right,” he said.
