What is the county thinking? They can't afford to provide services as it is today so they are going to increase the cost of providing the services they do blindly? I appreciate Simitian trying for something rational and can't understand why Wasserman opposed it.

If you can't afford to pay someone a decent wage for their services, then you can't afford their services.

How nice for the County to be so generous with taxpayers dollars. The private sector is accountable to keeping wages at a point that is not going to kill the business that pays them, but the County just raises the taxes, how nice. This reminds me of the Feds who just keep printing money because they can. If I had a printing press or could tax someone else I'd pay $19.00/hr too; hell why not $25.00/hr, who is going to stop us?
Socialism stops when you run out of other peoples money to spend. Margaret Thatcher

Excellent points by Robert. The county will just be charged the higher wages for services they contract out to and the taxpayers will foot the bill. A private business would never do this since it would be uncompetitive, but the county has monopoly on some of the services it provides so it can behave inefficiently

No, you are not an economist. Nor are you educated. Nor are you astute. Really, the list goes on...

If you want to hire people at below living wage rates, nobody is stopping you. Why are you objecting if the community only wants to hire people at rates that allow them to live? That is our right. Don't like it? Vote people in that wish to abuse the workers. Can't get in like-minded greedy people? Then, move away. Go to a state where slave-wage polices have damaged economies--also called "red states". Enjoy!

You are the ignorant one. If you want to pay higher wages then you are free to do so. No one is stopping you. But not with other peoples money. I want government to provide services at the lowest cost and the best quality. You are OK with paying excessive amounts for services which means some services will be cut or not offered because the county is on a fixed budget. No one is abusing workers since all labor is voluntarily offered. If you feel so strong about this you should offer more in taxes to pay for excessive wages.

" I want government to provide services at the lowest cost and the best quality."

Lowest cost AND best quality?! Yup! Definitely NOT an economist. People like you vote down every tax possible, yet have your hand out wanting services from the government. How childish!

At hmmmm

learn some economics and maybe you can make some better arguments .

Well, not-an-economist... Please do instruct us on how the government can provide a service at the highest quality AND the lowest price.

We're waiting...

One way would be to outsource and take competitive bids. It's pretty easy. Of course complicated for the economically illiterate.

Gee not economist person, Just because the county requires its contractors to pay their employees a living wage, doesn't take away the competitive bidding process.... Don't you understand anything at all?

I'm in favor of this. Most government projects are built for the long term and it's important that the people doing the work are decently compensated.

@Derp

"I'm in favor of this. Most government projects are built for the long term and it's important that the people doing the work are decently compensated."

Paying more for services than the private sector only means bureaucrats are overpaid. The process is not competitive since vendors will raise prices for the public sector compared to the private sector.

"Paying more for services than the private sector only means bureaucrats are overpaid. "

Uhhhh.... Did you even read the article? This new rule would only require that staff at these companies be paid a minimum of $19/hour. Do you really think that the "bureaucrats" at these firms (managers) currently make LESS than $19/hour? That's $38k/year. Ridiculous...they make so much more.

The staff at these firms that are building our bridges, performing tests for toxicity, and other critical functions could be paid minimum wage. Who in their right mind thinks that is a good idea?

Fortunately, the ignorant are being outvoted by the intelligent. Making sound investments in our people and our infrastructure is happening. If you don't like it, there are plenty of dirt-poor "red states" that implemented "business-friendly" policies. Move there and enjoy!

You miss the point overpaying the low end workers means raises for other workers to keep the relative salary structure. It's easy to say it's ok to waste money when it's not yours,

"You miss the point overpaying the low end workers means raises for other workers to keep the relative salary structure."

No, it does not mean raises for other workers. Or rather, if it does, then that is the company's choice. If they are paying truly competitive wages at the 19/hr and higher then what are those employees going to do? Quit and go to another firm for the same or less money?

Greed AND ignorance is not a good combination to have in a voter. Please skip the election.

You obviously have no clue how the public sector and private sector work. Learn some economics and maybe you could make better arguments. You claim of greed is silly.

I'm glad the county is setting this policy. I've seen it done in other areas and it worked out wonderfully. It actually improves the local economy and builds a better community.