League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany Emeryville wwwlwvbaeorglivingwageandeconomicinequality Nancy Bickel and Pat Kuhi Agenda Why Living Wage Concurrence Why Economic Inequality Study ID: 798064
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Slide1
Slide2Living Wage & Economic Inequality Caucus
League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany Emeryville
www.lwvbae.org/living-wage-and-economic-inequality
Nancy Bickel and Pat
Kuhi
Slide3Agenda
Why Living Wage Concurrence?
Why Economic Inequality Study?
Questions and Discussion
Our Proposed Strategy at Convention
Will you help? Discussion
Sunday Action
Sign up to speak for YES on consideration of Living Wage
Sign up to speak for Yes on consideration of Econ.
Ineqality
.
Monday Action
Sign up to speak for Yes on concurrence with LWV Kansas LW
Sign up to speak for Yes or ? on adopting Econ. Inequality
Slide4Why Living Wage?
Debate on raising Berkeley’s minimum wage towards a living wage
League wanted to support increase
Meeting Basic Human Needs Position seemed to support
“
The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that one of the goals of social policy in the United States should be
to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families
and that the most effective social programs are those designed to prevent or reduce poverty.”
Slide5Why Living Wage?
LWVUS staff said NO
Why?
Since Leagues had historically supported minimum/living wage &
League rep served on
1938 federal
commission that established the minimum wage [.$25]
During the 1988 LWVUS re-study of the Income Assistance position, Leagues did not reach consensus on a Minimum Wage question.
So when Leagues ask, answer is no.
Some Leagues don’t ask….
Slide6Quickest Way to Reclaim Historic League support of Min. Wage/LW
Concurrence with an existing League position.
We queried all Leagues
Only one League responded and had a position that might return us quickly to support for some wage increases
LWV Kansas Living Wage Position
“
Encourage establishment of a living wage policy by government and for-profit businesses that receive tax incentives and/or other public funds.”
Slide7Why Economic Inequality?—
because of its bad impact on democracy
At LWVBAE Program Planning, Pat
Kuhi
proposed and members supported a national study of
economic equality’s impact on democracy
and of appropriate policy solutions
It’s a hot topic now nationally
New books, lots of public debate, good resources
We don’t need to become economists
Making democracy work is our reason for being in League
We wanted to arouse League interest
Promote forums and perhaps studies around the country
Pave the way for adoption of a study in 2014, perhaps
Slide8Study the Impact of Economic Inequality on Democracy
The
study would “identify the social and political impacts of economic inequality on our democracy and seek appropriate policy solutions.
“
LWVUS has an ambitious and excellent set of program
proposals for the next 2 years
LWVUS couldn’t
handle more now
Adopting a non-recommended study requires a 2/3 vote—
but we’d like a strong show of support
Slide9Resources and Contact Info
Posted on
our website at
http
://www.lwvbae.org/living-wage-and-economic-inequality
/
A Resource list
Our Slide Show
Our Contact Info
Nancy Bickel
president@lwvbae.org
For texting at convention 510-684-6302
Pat
Kuhi
pat@kuhi.net
League
of Women Voters of
Kansas Living Wage Position
Statements
in Brief
SOCIAL POLICY
Equality of Opportunity
Support action to combat discrimination and poverty, and to provide equal access to education, employment, housing and policy-making government meetings
Living Wage
Encourage establishment of a living wage policy by government and for-profit businesses that receive tax incentives and/or other public funds.
Statements in Full
SOCIAL POLICY
Equality of Opportunity
BACKGROUND: The support of equal rights for all has long been one of the guiding principles of the League of Women Voters. The LWVUS began its study of these concerns in 1964. A statement of position was announced by the National Board in January 1969, and adopted by the 1972 National Convention. Delegates to this convention gave overwhelming support to the newly proposed Equal Rights Amendment. The LWVUS expanded its position at the 1980 National Convention, which is reflected in our Position in Brief. The LWVK believes that many aspects of the LWVUS position are applicable for action at the state level. Delegates to the 1981 State Convention added “access to policy-making government meetings.”
Living Wage
BACKGROUND: The LWVK adopted a study of a “Living wage policy for government and private enterprises that receive public funds” at State Convention in April 1999. A statement of position was adopted on September 23, 2000.
STATEMENT OF POSITION: It is reasonable to expect government and for-profit businesses that receive tax incentives and/or other public funds to pay a living wage in order to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency. Other businesses should be encouraged to do likewise.
A living wage should provide sufficient income without government assistance, for food, clothing, housing, energy, transportation, health care, education, child care, and a small amount of discretionary income.
The state should set minimum standards for a living wage for state employees. Additionally, laws should be enacted that enable communities to establish living wage ordinances for local government employees and private enterprises that receive public tax money. The LWVK opposes legislation that prohibits such local action.
The state should establish a minimum wage for all workers that adequately reflects the actual cost of living in the state, at least to the minimum level established by the federal government.
Implementation of a living wage will take time and until that goal is achieved the LWVK continues to support government assistance to the working poor. Assistance programs may include but not be limited to:
Refundable state earned income tax credits,
Fair unemployment insurance,
Tax credits for child care expenses,
Health insurance, and
Elimination of sales tax on food.