Omaha minimum wage proposal sparks discussion in public commentary

"From 62% to 86% across our seven-council district said they wanted this. That's why we have a clear mandate with the voters," City Council President Danny Begley said. "That's why my ordinance is before us today."

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Omaha’s city council is considering increasing the minimum wage within city limits.It’s an ordinance similar to the one passed in Lincoln and counters the state law passed this year, which lowers the minimum wage for some teen workers.Several young people were in the crowd Tuesday and testified in support of the ordinance. It would raise minimum wages from $13.50 an hour for 14- and 15-year-olds back to $15 an hour.Voters approved this idea in a 2022 ballot initiative. “From 62% to 86% across our seven-council district said they wanted this. That’s why we have a clear mandate with the voters,” City Council President Danny Begley said. “That’s why my ordinance is before us today.”But in the meeting, city Councilmembers Aimee Melton and Don Rowe shared some concern about whether Omaha could legally pass the ordinance.”I just don’t know that Omaha has the authority to do this. I think that state law preempts the city from doing this,” Melton said.However, earlier this month, Omaha City Attorney Matthew Kuhse wrote to the council saying the city can “exercise its local control and require a higher minimum wage.”Councilmember Pete Festersen said this would be the first vote in line with the mayor’s poverty elimination plan.”This will be the first measure, if we adopt it, that would be substantive in nature related to that plan that this body approved over a year ago,” Festersen said.Youth advocacy groups and young people said it would encourage teens who help support their families. “I know a lot of people in my community, or my friends, where they have to provide for their family,” Tay’Viana Robinson, Voices for Children Youth Leadership Council member, said. “I feel like this would affect them. Why should we not be paid the same?”Another Voices for Children youth advocate said equal pay matters to the younger generation.”We work just as hard with going to work, paying bills, juggling school activities,” Ta’Miyah Wright said. “So, there’s no need for us to get paid any less than somebody else that’s doing the exact same work.”READ MORE: Minimum wage bill goes to governor’s desk, lowers wages for young NebraskansNorth Omaha community organizer Michaela Atkins-Foster with the Heartland Worker Center said this would be an investment in the future of Nebraska.”We’re doing things to deter youth from staying here, from experiencing the good life,” Atkins-Foster said. “If we’re paying them less than minimum wage, that’s not going to encourage anybody, that’s not going to encourage young professionals to stay in the workforce, let alone get in the workforce here in Nebraska.”Opponents of the change said it would hurt the economy and put businesses at a disadvantage. State Sen. Christy Armendariz showed up at the meeting to explain why she voted for a decrease in the minimum wage for young people this past legislative session.”We need to be cognizant of grocery stores and restaurants where the profit margins are extremely tight and volatile. Those industries in particular would have a very difficult time staying open and using workers as opposed to technology,” Armendariz said.”It won’t be just minimum wage. All the other workers will be expected to be bumped up to keep that delta the same they always were. So, we raise minimum wage as governments, all wages go up.”The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce opposes the ordinance.President Heath Mello said in a statement: “A city-by-city minimum wage ordinance would create inconsistent wage standards inside a single, interconnected labor and business market. This would be especially challenging for businesses with multiple locations throughout the metro.”Mello said the best solution for wage growth is economic growth.Some members said they want to talk more about the legalities of the ordinance in the next meeting, which is scheduled for July 14, when there will also be a vote.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

Omaha’s city council is considering increasing the minimum wage within city limits.

It’s an ordinance similar to the one passed in Lincoln and counters the state law passed this year, which lowers the minimum wage for some teen workers.

Several young people were in the crowd Tuesday and testified in support of the ordinance. It would raise minimum wages from $13.50 an hour for 14- and 15-year-olds back to $15 an hour.

Voters approved this idea in a 2022 ballot initiative.

“From 62% to 86% across our seven-council district said they wanted this. That’s why we have a clear mandate with the voters,” City Council President Danny Begley said. “That’s why my ordinance is before us today.”

But in the meeting, city Councilmembers Aimee Melton and Don Rowe shared some concern about whether Omaha could legally pass the ordinance.

“I just don’t know that Omaha has the authority to do this. I think that state law preempts the city from doing this,” Melton said.

However, earlier this month, Omaha City Attorney Matthew Kuhse wrote to the council saying the city can “exercise its local control and require a higher minimum wage.”

Councilmember Pete Festersen said this would be the first vote in line with the mayor’s poverty elimination plan.

“This will be the first measure, if we adopt it, that would be substantive in nature related to that plan that this body approved over a year ago,” Festersen said.

Youth advocacy groups and young people said it would encourage teens who help support their families.

“I know a lot of people in my community, or my friends, where they have to provide for their family,” Tay’Viana Robinson, Voices for Children Youth Leadership Council member, said. “I feel like this would affect them. Why should we not be paid the same?”

Another Voices for Children youth advocate said equal pay matters to the younger generation.

“We work just as hard with going to work, paying bills, juggling school activities,” Ta’Miyah Wright said. “So, there’s no need for us to get paid any less than somebody else that’s doing the exact same work.”

North Omaha community organizer Michaela Atkins-Foster with the Heartland Worker Center said this would be an investment in the future of Nebraska.

“We’re doing things to deter youth from staying here, from experiencing the good life,” Atkins-Foster said.

“If we’re paying them less than minimum wage, that’s not going to encourage anybody, that’s not going to encourage young professionals to stay in the workforce, let alone get in the workforce here in Nebraska.”

Opponents of the change said it would hurt the economy and put businesses at a disadvantage.

State Sen. Christy Armendariz showed up at the meeting to explain why she voted for a decrease in the minimum wage for young people this past legislative session.

“We need to be cognizant of grocery stores and restaurants where the profit margins are extremely tight and volatile. Those industries in particular would have a very difficult time staying open and using workers as opposed to technology,” Armendariz said.

“It won’t be just minimum wage. All the other workers will be expected to be bumped up to keep that delta the same they always were. So, we raise minimum wage as governments, all wages go up.”

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce opposes the ordinance.

President Heath Mello said in a statement:

“A city-by-city minimum wage ordinance would create inconsistent wage standards inside a single, interconnected labor and business market. This would be especially challenging for businesses with multiple locations throughout the metro.”

Mello said the best solution for wage growth is economic growth.

Some members said they want to talk more about the legalities of the ordinance in the next meeting, which is scheduled for July 14, when there will also be a vote.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.