Baltimore Councilwoman To Propose $15 Minimum Wage

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Bumping up the minimum wage to $15 in Baltimore City by 2020, nearly doubling it from the current rate of $8.25.

Tracey Leong has more on both sides of the controversial proposal.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke tells WJZ this will help close the financial gap in Baltimore---but those not in favor say it would actually widen it.

It's a bill aiming to uplift Baltimore, driving the minimum wage to $15 by 2020.

"Hardworking men and women definitely deserve a raise," said Chris Accord.

"We need to raise up wages in order for people to spend more money, put more money back into the economy and take better care of their families," said Pat Lippold.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke introduced the proposal a day before the one year anniversary of Freddie Gray's death. The city is still working to heal since the unrest that unfolded last spring.

"There's no peace without justice and justice includes fair wages," Clarke said.

About 80,000 people make minimum wage in Baltimore City but businessowners say this increase could cost them their job.

"Need to lay off employees, need to decrease hours for employees in order to stay competitive in the marketplace," said Gail Furman, Max's Restaurant.

Furman is one of the managers at Max's Restaurant in Fells Point. She tells WJZ the proposal is unreasonable because the burden of paying the employees falls on the business.

"It be detrimental to the mom-and-pop. Who's gonna foot the bill? The bill can't pass all the customer," said Bob Simko.

Simko says this could be catastrophic for the service industry and feels it is not a well-thought-out plan.

"I'd like to have a sit down and say it's the wrong thing to do," he said.

The proposal now goes to Baltimore's Labor Committee. They are planning a public hearing on this matter in the next month.

Maryland's minimum wage is already set to go up to $10.10 by 2018.