How "Christian" Is This?
Georgia's Republican Governor Sonny Perdue signed a bill late Tuesday that prohibits local governments from attempting to give contract preferences to firms that agree to pay their employees a basic minimum livable wage.
The bill, written by private business interests, was aimed at preventing the City of Atlanta from enforcing a living wage ordinance passed in January. The ordinance would have taken effect on April 3 and have applied to contracts worth $25,000 and above. The living wage amount was set at $10.50 per hour with at least an additional $1.50 per hour provided to workers in health insurance.
The ordinance "encouraged" businesses to follow its guidelines, but was considered "voluntary." Contract bidders would have received extra credit on their bids if they abided by its provisions.
The bill is a setback for Georgia unions and community groups who had been lobbying hard to see an increase that would have allowed their wages to keep in step with inflation.