Maryland Living Wage Bill
In 2007, Progressive Maryland lobbied hard, working closely with the General Assembly and Governor O'Malley, to pass the nation's first statewide living wage law. The new law shows that Maryland is serious about rewarding work and helping families, and sets the example for more states and Congress to do the same. This law strengthens the ladder for tens of thousands of families living in poverty to climb into the middle class. In the 2006 election, Maryland's voters endorsed just such action.
Polling data shows legislation that mandates $10.50 per hour for low-wage workers employed by big state contractors is supported by a super-majority of the population. The poll conducted by Gonzales Research show Marylanders supported the living wage proposal by a margin of nearly 40 points, 67% -23%. The same poll done in December of 2003 revealed support of 63% - 26%. In March 2003, it was 57%-33%. The poll question was originally written with great care by Republican Carol Arscott, now an official in the Ehrlich administration.
"Marylanders in every region overwhelmingly support the living wage," says Tom Hucker, Executive Director of Progressive Maryland adding, "After a much publicized battle in Annapolis, those numbers jumped even higher. That should grab the attention of lawmakers ... As people learn more about Living Wage, the numbers have moved 20% in our favor over [2005]."
The Living Wage bill passed the General Assembly by large margins but was vetoed by Governor Bob Ehrlich following the 2004 Session. The veto override vote failed in the 2005 session when a few key senators pulled out at the last second. Maryland's legislation was the first living wage bill to pass at the statewide level.
Continued opposition to the living wage law could mean problems for Ehrlich, and could become a significant issue in the 2006 gubernatorial race. And lawmakers who voted against the bill this spring may come to regret those votes.
The living wage bill polled very well in the more liberal areas of Baltimore City and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. But even on the more conservative Eastern Shore, voters also support the bill by a wide 66% -- 25% margin. And in Western Maryland, likely voters support the bill by a 65% -- 21% gap.
"This is a critical step in getting working families some respect," says Elbridge James, Second Vice President of the Maryland NAACP. "As a taxpayer, I don't want my money supporting poverty wages and while the governor may not see the value of this, every taxpayer will."
Since 2005, a majority of Democrats and Independents have supported the issue. But for the first time, a majority of Republicans now support the legislation. "This poll clearly tells lawmakers everywhere that the people support this bill," says Hucker.
The Living Wage bill (SB 621) passed the Maryland Senate with more than a veto-proof majority and came just five votes shy of a veto-proof margin in the House of Delegates. According to Hucker, Gov. Ehrlich used misinformation to explain his veto citing multiple mistaken cost reports from his own administration, which have since been refuted by the Department of Legislative Services.
Representatives of hundreds of small businesses had urged Ehrlich to sign the bill, believing it would help local economies and reduce poverty in the state. "It's only logical that when my customers have more money to support their families, they'll spend some of that in my store" says Shahnaz Hossain who owns and runs a retail store in Glen Burnie.
Living Wage sponsor Del. Herman Taylor (D-Montgomery), a small business owner, says "Each legislator came to Annapolis representing people who are tired of seeing mothers and fathers who work hard but are still stuck in poverty," says Taylor who adds, "That's what both houses said when we passed this bill - we want better for those who work."
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