The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

Belmont invests in a city minimum wage

The+proposal+for+a+minimum+wage+in+Belmont+was+introduced+during+the+citys+2017+priority+session+in+February.
Justin Som
The proposal for a minimum wage in Belmont was introduced during the city’s 2017 priority session in February.

California already has the third highest minimum wage in the nation, but the Belmont City Council isn’t content with that.

To counter the high living costs of the Bay Area, the City Council has drafted their own proposal for Belmont: a minimum wage. The goal is straightforward, according to Belmont Mayor Charles Stone — they hope to have instituted a minimum wage of $15 per hour before 2023. The City Council hopes to reach this landmark before the state of California does.

“We first came up with the idea at the annual priority session,” said Stone. “Belmont has one of the highest living costs in the state. People who earn minimum wage [in Belmont] have it much worse than in other areas. The minimum wage here shouldn’t be the same as in Bakersfield or other cities.”

Belmont wouldn’t be the first city to introduce a minimum wage in California. According to a report by the Belmont City Manager, Greg Scoles, the cities of San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles were the first to create their own minimum wage ordinances. Within San Mateo County, San Mateo is the only city to have done so thus far.

However, there are concerns with Belmont’s idea for a minimum wage ordinance. Small businesses who already pay employees at the minimum wage, may be incapable of meeting higher standards.

We want to hear from all businesses and the community. We want to make sure that all voices are heard.

— Mayor Charles Stone

To counter this fear, the city “looks forward to a deliberate process where the Belmont City Council can hear businesses,” said Stone. “We want to hear from the community about their opinions, and we want to make sure that voices are heard.”

Once Belmont begins its minimum wage policy, the rise from $10.50 per hour to $15 per hour will be gradual. Depending on the size of the business, different times may be needed to become accustomed to the new ordinance.

If you can’t pay $15 per hour to your employees, you need to rethink your business.

— Rito Arellano

“Personally, I think we should raise the wage to $20 per hour,” said Rito Arellano, the manager of Bushwackers Barber Shop. “If you can’t even pay your employees $15 per hour, then you’re running your business wrong.”

In addition, many student workers believe that these changes need to be carried out more rapidly.

“I definitely think that a new minimum wage should be input,” said Ryan Leung, a senior who works in Belmont. “Students need money to purchase necessities because some parents don’t give their children any. However, I feel like this change should be immediate so that more people can feel the benefits in a shorter time.”

About the Contributor
Justin Som, Staff Writer
Justin Som is a senior at Carlmont High School who participates in community service every month to help the city. He enjoys arguing with others and is a member of the Carlmont tennis team and Mock Trial. He most recently attended California Boys State 2017 and won the award for "Most Outstanding Trial Attorney." Twitter: @The_Justin_Som Political Opinion Column-'Not Radical, Just Logical'

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  • T

    Tom BellSep 2, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    Scots

    I grew up in Belmont (2103 Shirley Rd) between 1952 and 1968 (Carlmont class of 67). I am pleased to see that Belmont has taken a bold leadership position on this issue. Bold, but insufficient. The minimum wage required for a single adult to live a spartan lifestyle in San Mateo County is CURRENTLY $16.13/hr. A family of one adult working full time and one adult working part time with one child is $18.13 (http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06081).

    The urgency of raising wages in America to a living wage should be clear to anyone who is frightened by the trend in our national politics. Belmont is moving in the right direction. I can only hope that your example spreads from South City to East Menlo Park and Pescadero and all cities in between.

    Go Scots
    Tom Bell
    Cohasset MA

    Reply
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The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.
Belmont invests in a city minimum wage