Santa Fe’s living wage draws mixed reviews -“It takes away incentive. They don’t try to improve"

[The Straight Story]

Santa Fe’s living wage draws mixed reviews

Santa Fe sports the highest minimum wage in the country — $9.85 an hour.

Santa Fe city councilors, who mandate the pay rate, call this a “living wage.”

One local businesswoman argues that the living wage is fair, while one businessman says the phrase “living wage” is a misnomer that lacks incentives to improve yourself.

“It misleads youngsters (into thinking) that you can make a living by making $9.85 an hour,” said Al Lucero, owner of Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen. “It takes away incentive. They don’t try to improve.

http://www.nmfreepress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1054:santa-fes-living-wage-draws-mixed-reviews&catid=2:0309

[CrispyQ]

1. A living wage? For Santa Fe?

That's just over $20k a year! I would like to see the council members live on that for one year. The crying & whining & carrying on would drown out all the noise of the universe.

[DonCoquixote]

2. IN OTHER WORDS

“It takes away incentive. They don’t try to improve.

In other words, people don't want to chase the brass ring of more and more work for less and less money, and actually try to "improve themselves" in ways that matter, like being better people, as opposed to being another hamster on the rich man's wheel.

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. "They" who?

Gimme a fucking name, Lucero. Fucking liar.

[wtbymark]

4. $9.85 is hardly a living wage

if the minimum wage rose with inflation from the 70's till now, the minimum wage would be roughly 14/hr now

[carlyhippy]

5. living wage? Have they even tried to price homes in Santa Fe?

The housing is not affordable. It's expensive to live in Santa Fe. But...it's truly a beautiful place to live.

[lob1]

6. I'll bet everyone saying "it takes away incentive" all make more than

$10 per hour, which sort of disproves their own statement.