This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/hm/ for current information. |
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Measure R Minimum Wage Ordinance Initiative City of Eureka Majority Approval Required Fail: 2796 / 38.9% Yes votes ...... 4389 / 61.1% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Results as of Nov 4 11:42pm |
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text | ||||
Shall an ordinance be adopted that (1) requires (a) payment of minimum wages in Eureka at $12.00 per hour for employers with 25 or more employees (including Welfare-to-Work Programs) with an annual increase, if any, based on the Consumer Price Index beginning the ninetieth (90th) day after certification; (b) City Attorney enforcement through fines, penalties, or civil actions; (c) City Council authority to amend the ordinance with regard to implementation or enforcement; and (d)voter approval of substantive changes to the ordinance; and (2) allows private enforcement through civil actions?
The proposed ordinance would apply to most employers, including not only those who are subject to the Business License Tax, Chapter 110 of the Code, but also those who assign an employee or employees to perform work within the geographic boundaries of Eureka. The proposed ordinance seeks to apply to participants in welfare-to-work programs, administered by the County of Humboldt, by limiting the number of hours the participants will be required to work to the number of hours equal to the cash benefits divided by the minimum wage. The minimum wage requirement would not apply to a person who works less than two hours per week. The proposed ordinance includes a number of administrative requirements and enforcement provisions. Covered employers would be required to post current and prospective minimum wage rates at the place of employment, notify the employees of current and prospective minimum wage rates, and maintain certain payroll records. The proposed ordinance would prohibit retaliation or discrimination against any person seeking to enforce the rights provided by the ordinance. The City Attorney would be required to administer and enforce the provisions including, investigating possible violations, issuing administrative citations and compliance orders, and filing a lawsuit in court. Remedies include back wages, civil penalties, equitable relief, and payment of reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Any person harmed by a violation, or any member of the public, would have the right to sue in court to enforce the requirement. A "yes" vote is a vote to require payment of a minimum wage of $12.00/hour for work performed in Eureka under certain circumstances and to approve the implementation and enforcement of the requirement as described above. A "no" vote is a vote to continue payment of the state minimum wage of $9.00/hour and the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25/hour. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure R. If you would like to read the full text of the measure, see http://www.ci.eureka.ca.gov or call (707) 441-4144 and a copy will be sent at no cost to you. Measure R was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters. /s/ Cyndy Day-Wilson City Attorney City of Eureka
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Arguments For Measure R | Arguments Against Measure R | ||
Vote "YES" for Measure R, Eureka's Fair Wage Act. It is essential to rejuvenate the economy of Eureka and this entire region.
Measure R raises our minimum wage to $12 an hour, to be paid by large employers, enabling people who work hard to earn a fair wage, pay their bills, and take care of their kids. Measure R reflects our sense of fairness, addresses economic realities, and is sound public policy. Minimum wage increases boost local business because low-wage workers spend their money here. Higher earnings will continuously stimulate our economy. Cities that raise their minimum wage see their economies thrive. The multiplier effect from additional money in people's pockets will lower poverty rates and grow our economy. In San Jose's first year with a higher minimum wage, employment rose and 9,000 businesses started. Measure R reduces working people's reliance on government aid. California's minimum wage fails us and is not indexed to inflation. Measure R is indexed, so if the cost of living goes up, workers' wages will keep pace. "Mom and Pop" stores are not required to pay the higher wage under Measure R's small business exemption. Over 65% of people who will directly benefit from Measure R are working women, many of them raising children. One third of workers who will get higher wages are over 40. Almost 90% of workers who will directly benefit from Measure R are older than 20. City cost of enforcement can be recovered from violators. Community members created Measure R to improve the economy and our lives. Your "YES" vote allows working individuals and families to meet their needs, while enhancing the quality of life for everyone in our community. Our relatives, friends, and neighbors deserve to be paid fairly. Measure R empowers you to make that a reality. The Fair Wage Folks /s/James Decker, Treasurer /s/Don Swall /s/Zack Thiesen /s/Kimberly Starr
The prices for essential services like gas, food and healthcare will go up, while those with no means to pay for them, like senior citizens, the unemployed, and the disabled, will be the hardest hit. Proponents cite San Jose's minimum wage increases as a success story, but they have selectively pulled a job growth statistic unrelated to the minimum wage increase. The truth, according to the Employment Policies Institute, is that service businesses were hit very hard. One year after the adoption, their survey found that 66.3% of businesses raised their prices, 44.8% reduced employee hours, 42.3% reduced staffing levels, and 7.4% closed their locations in San Jose. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, San Jose/Santa Clara County now has nation's fifth-highest homeless population. If Santa Clara, the home of Facebook, Google, and Apple, report such affects after raising the minimum wage to $10.00, one can only imagine what an increase to $12.00 will do in Eureka's fragile economy. We'd all like higher wages and to improve our local economy, but the increases sought in this measure are too high, too fast, and too flawed in design. No on Measure R. The Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce /s/Don Smullin Secretary, The Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce | The City of Eureka already suffers from a fragile economy. Many storefronts stand empty, and businesses are struggling to stay open. While our residents are struggling to find jobs, Measure R threatens to cause layoffs, worker hour reduction, and it creates a disincentive for businesses to expand or increase staff. Many businesses have reported they may have to close down or leave the city. Measure R was poorly designed and harms our community: 1) Since it only affects employers with more than 25 employees, the ordinance selectively hurts midsize businesses and small businesses trying to expand. Many employers with less than 25 employees will resist expansion while employers over 25 employees may lay-off employees to avoid being affected by the ordinance. 2) Measure R does not account for benefits and other non-wage compensation as other cities have done with similar measures. Employers have reported they will cut employee benefits as an offset. Passing measure R will mean that employees stand to lose health care insurance, vacation pay, paid sick time, and other important benefits. 3) Measure R places Eureka businesses at a competitive disadvantage to those outside of the city limits, decreasing our tax base, threatening resources for public safety, and further harming Eureka's economic development. 4) Measure R threatens the very existence of many non-profit organizations with fixed funding and no method to increase revenues. The 18 month amnesty for non-profits will only delay the loss of important services for the most vulnerable of our population. We urge you to vote NO on Measure R in favor of a measured and responsible approach to lifting wages and improving our local economy; one that increases available employment, supports our non-profits and improves public service by growing our business tax base. /s/ Don Smullin Secretary, The Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce
Raising the minimum wage invigorates a fragile economy. The economics of the Chamber of Commerce have resulted in stagnant wages for working people and empty storefronts throughout the city. Minimum wage increases, on the other hand, have stimulated economies and increased employment in every city where implemented. More money in workers' hands means more local spending. The argument against Measure R sounds right, but is it true? NO. And the Chamber offers zero evidence for its argument. The Chamber falsely claims that businesses will be reluctant to expand when Measure R passes and that non- profits will suffer. However, in every city with minimum wage increases, existing businesses grow, new businesses start, and non-profits continue their good works. What does Measure R do? "R" protects small, local businesses while forcing large, highly profitable establishments to pay fair wages. "R" increases spending in Eureka, expanding city revenues, while reducing welfare costs for full-time working families. Why would we support businesses attracted to a low wage, low benefit environment? Workers need fair wage employers. Fair wage employers will stay competitive through higher productivity and increased local patronage. This will inspire similar initiatives in neighboring cities, as seen in the Bay Area. We have the opportunity to help restore the middle class and mend a broken economy. The authors of Measure R have made certain that this has been done in a responsible manner. The Humboldt/Del Norte Central Labor Council enthusiastically endorses Measure R. YES ON "R." The Fair Wage Folks /s/Zack Thiesen /s/James Decker, Treasurer /s/Kimberly Starr /s/Don Swall |
Full Text of Measure R |
SECTION 1. Title XI of the Eureka City Code Of Ordinances is hereby amended to add a new Chapter to be numbered, entitled and to read as follows:
CHAPTER 123.00 Fair Wage Act 123. 01 TITLE. This ordinance shall be known as the "Eureka Fair Wage Act." 123.02 AUTHORITY. This Chapter is adopted pursuant to the powers vested in the City of Eureka under the laws and Constitution of the State of California, but not limited to the police powers vested in the City pursuant to Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution and Section 1205(b) of the California Labor Law.
123.03 DEFINITIONS.
The following terms shall have the following meanings:
A. "City" shall mean the City of Eureka.
B. "Employee" shall mean any person who: |