San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer used his veto power for the first time Friday to block a minimum wage increase recently approved by the city council.
At a press conference, Faulconer stood shoulder-to-shoulder with eight local business owners as he announced his decision to axe the plan.
"This wage ordinance would make it harder for [small businesses] to hire and employ San Diegans who need work,” Faulconer said, adding that the burden of such an increase would fall “squarely on the shoulders of San Diego's small businesses and the families who they employ."
Faulconer noted that the state minimum wage has already increased from $8 to $9 as of July 1. It will rise again to $10 in January of 2016.
The measure is not yet dead. Council President Todd Gloria has said an override of the veto is now under consideration. As required by law, the vote will be scheduled within the next 30 days.
“When 38% of San Diego workers don’t earn enough to make ends meet, something must be done,” Gloria said in a news release.
The ordinance, which was approved 6 to 3 by the council last month, would raise the city’s minimum wage to $9.75 on January 1. It calls for an increase to $10.50 in January of 2016 and $11.50 in January of 2017, after which it would be indexed to inflation. Under the ordinance, employers would also be required to offer 5 earned sick days per year.
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