Yesterday, the City Council of Washington, DC voted in favor
of the “Large Retailer Accountability Act,” proposed by Chairman Phil Mendelson
(D).
In a report by Mike
DeBonis, written on March 13, the law required “businesses
operating an indoor store of at least 75,000 square feet and whose corporate
parent has sales of at least $1 billion — to pay wages no lower than $11.75 per
hour plus, benefits. That “living wage” would be indexed to the local consumer
price index every year.”
In a report by the same reporter for the Washington Post on
May 30, the wage went to “no
less than $12.50 an hour”.
Mike DeBonis continued his reporting
yesterday on the passage of this bill by a vote of 8-5.
Why is this vote important?
This vote was pretty much a vote against Wal-mart. The large
chain had made it clear if this passed, they would end plans to bring three
stores to the area. Yvette Alexander, a Council member, opposed this bill
stating it would cost jobs in her district.
Whether you like Wal-mart or not, this vote is concerning.
Basically, this city council decided to impose a requirement on businesses who
met a specific set of criteria. This wage does
not apply to small businesses because they could not support it. It is more of
the spread the wealth and corporations are evil mentality
Democrats love to implore upon the American people.
As I see it, Wal-mart is needed in these areas. The closest
grocery store for one of the areas where Wal-mart was going to build is in
Maryland. At the end of the Channel 7 news report, the anchor references this area
as a food desert. A food desert is a “part of the country vapid of fresh
fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in
impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’
markets, and healthy food providers.”
I have to wonder if these members are working for the
people. It sounds like these areas need access to food and jobs, not legislation.
By SB
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