Judge Deals Setbacks To Supporters Of San Jose Minimum Wage Ballot Measure
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The November election is still weeks away, but already supporters of a $2.00 per hour minimum wage increase in San Jose are suffering from a pair of defeats - in the courtroom.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Mark H. Pierce ruled this week that the the line "Measure D does not mandate any additional spending by the city" must be stricken from the ballot. He also ruled that opponents' arguments against the measure may remain on the ballot.
"We're disappointed that the judge wouldn't give tens of thousands of people who can't afford even the average rent in San Jose five minutes to make their case," was the reaction from South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council spokeswoman Stacey Hendler Ross.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
Currently, the hourly wage in San Jose is $8.00. If Measure D passes, it would be $10.00.
Opponents successfully argued that Measure D does, in fact, increase San Jose's costs because it would require a costly new bureaucracy to make certain that businesses are complying with the law. Ross disputes that, arguing there would be no costs to the city.
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