The minimum wage debate will once again be before Lexington city leaders. The Lexington council Tuesday reversed a two week old committee decision.
The council's budget committee voted in late June to postpone consideration of gradually increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 until anticipated court challenges in Louisville play out. On Tuesday the full council voted to discuss details of the proposal next month. Council member Angela Evans says that's what many on the council want. "That's what I hear my colleagues screaming about, is they want to have the full discussion," said Evans.
But, other council members argued that proceeding this way goes against the traditional committee process. Council member Jennifer Scutchfield says Lexington should wait to see how the issue works out in Louisville. "I have no desire to waste taxpayer money, said Scutchfield.
Council member Bill Farmer expressed concerns that the motion circumvents the traditional process.
By an 11-4 vote, the council acted to take up the issue next month. David Christensen is an affordable housing advocate. He believes the minimum wage increase could win final approval. "I think we could win this thing by an 11-4 margin in the end because some council people when they see how the vote's going, they jump on because they don't want to be criticized for being against low income people, or affordable housing or other issues," said Christensen.
The issue is scheduled to be discussed at a council meeting in August 20. ?
