Omaha City Council considers minimum wage ordinance

OMAHA, Neb. —

The Omaha City Council will consider establishing a minimum wage to “correct” what Nebraska lawmakers changed this year.

The ordinance proposed by City Council President Danny Begley would set a minimum wage of $15 for employees in Omaha that is adjusted annually to account for inflation.

The council is set to hold a public hearing on June 16 and a vote on June 30.

“I was disappointed that the legislature took the action they did,” Begley told KETV on Friday. “We’re doing what we can to correct what they did and exercise our authority for the dignity of the workers. People that are struggling with inflation, going to the grocery store, to the gas station, paying their rent, their health care costs, they’re going through the roof.”

Earlier this year, state lawmakers reduced the minimum wage for young Nebraskans and placed caps on adjustments for inflation. Critics called the move a slap in the face to Nebraska voters who adopted the $15 minimum wage via referendum in 2022.

Lincoln passed a similar law to the one Omaha is considering last month. KETV reported at the time Omaha officials were working on their own minimum wage proposal.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a formal opinion that Lincoln’s minimum wage ordinance is illegal. Omaha City Attorney Matt Kuhse writes in the submission to the council that the city can “exercise its local control and require a higher minimum wage” than state law.

Begley points to data that shows support for the 2022 referendum ranged from 62% to 85% in support across Omaha’s council districts.

See the proposal here.