The Council Bill 12-16 (to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2020) is still under consideration with a Council HHS Committee worksession taking place on December 7 at 9:30am. We will share the results of this survey with Council staff as they complete their research. Please attend tomorrow’s worksession if you are interested in this issue.

Nonprofit Montgomery has not taken a stand on the minimum wage increase.  At Council public hearings in the spring we shared broad sector perspectives voiced by our advocacy committee, members and similar advocacy groups across the country.  These include funding challenges related to wage increases, especially for especially for organizations reliant on county, state and federal funding.

Nonprofit Montgomery put out a survey about the impact that a minimum wage increase to $15 by 2020 might have on local organizations. Some highlights:

  • Six of the 22 respondents indicated they would experience increased personnel costs directly attributable to the minimum wage increase
  • Seven organizations described potential service disruptions if funding doesn’t increase to help address wage increases.
  • When asked if a minimum wage increase would improve clients’ lives, responses were divided. Reasons for choosing no or unknown: It may lift clients out of poverty but may remove their eligibility for services and possible service disruptions.
Click here to see more results. There’s still time to join Nonprofit Montgomery’s Advocacy committee and play a part in developing and delivering our advocacy agenda. The monthly conference call is on the second Wednesday of each month at 3pm. Join the call to make your voice heard as we advocate for nonprofit organizations and the residents we serve.