June 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

L.A. City panel orders independent study of minimum wage hike plan

A City Council committee asked today for a detailed study on the economic impacts of raising the minimum wage in Los Angeles to $13.25 an hour by 2017, and potentially to $15.25 an hour by 2019.

The Economic Development Committee asked that an economist be hired to conduct the study, which should be completed by Feb. 1.

The study is expected to further scrutinize Mayor Eric Garcetti’s proposal for raising the minimum hourly wage in the city to $13.25 over the next three years, and to peg the wage to the consumer price index thereafter.

The economist will also look at an additional increase to $15.25 that is being pushed by labor-affiliated groups like Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

A council motion authored by Mike Bonin, Gil Cedillo, Nury Martinez and Curren Price Jr. in support of the wage cited an existing study done by economists at UC Berkeley to support its proposal to raise the minimum wage to
$13.25 an hour.

That study was produced after the mayor’s office asked the university’s “leading labor economists and researchers” to evaluate Garcetti’s proposal, and it was done at no cost to the city, said mayoral spokesman Jeff Millman.

The wage hike proposal has drawn skepticism from some council members, including five who introduced a motion last week calling for
additional study of the economic impacts.

Councilman Paul Krekorian, who was among those who questioned whether the $13.25 an hour proposal was properly studied, noted the “extremely wide consensus” among the committee today that “wage inequality in the city”
should be addressed.

“I don’t think the issue is whether or not” to raise the minimum wage, Krekorian said. “The issue is how it would be best to do it.”

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, one of the authors of the motion calling for additional study, said last week “the conversation about imposing an increase needs to be elevated and expanded.”

“It is critical we do everything we can to help lift people out of poverty. It is equally critical we do so in a thoughtful and balanced way,” he said.

O’Farrell said he met with people who run small businesses, and they told him increasing the minimum wage could force them out of business.

Krekorian and O’Farrell’s remarks echoed concerns voiced today by business owners, including restaurateur Denise DeCarlo.

“I too agree with the minimum wage increase,” DeCarlo said, but “more study needs to be done” on various impacts such as on workers’ compensation costs, and whether employees who regularly receive tips should be treated
differently.

She said her servers “make good money” due to the tips they get, but if she ends up paying them a higher minimum wage, there would be less going to the “kitchen staff in the back of the house.”

“I mean there’s so many other issues that go into it. It’s not just giving somebody $15 an hour. Where is that money going to come from, and that’s really my issue,” she said.

Supporters of the wage hike say it would help those living in poverty, while those pushing for a further increase to $15 an hour say the 46 percent of workers in Los Angeles, or about 810,000 people, who make less than that do not earn enough to cover basic necessities.

Business groups, led by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, oppose the mayor’s minimum-wage boost and say it would result in job losses.

The state minimum wage of $9 an hour is set to rise to $10 in January 2016. But for thousands of workers at non-union Los Angeles hotels with 300 or more rooms, the minimum wage is scheduled to jump to $15.37 an hour on July 1 under an ordinance recently approved by the City Council. Hotels with at least 150 rooms will be required to match that raise, starting July 1, 2016.

Related Posts

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Robbery Suspects Captured in Beverly Hills After License Plate Alert Triggers Pursuit

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Foot Chase Ends in Arrests After ALPR Flags Robbery Vehicle in Beverly Hills An alert from the Beverly Hills Police...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...

Café UCLA Pops Up in Westwood to Honor Arthur Ashe’s Historic Wimbledon Win

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Three-Day Celebration Includes Giveaways in Tribute to the Iconic Athlete and Activist UCLA will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...

(Video) Welcome to the Urban Jungle — where nature meets the city and style meets soul

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Whether you’re chasing that gritty city energy or carving out a green oasis in your space, we’re here to help...

Santa Monica Police Arrest Shooting Suspect After Officer Ambushed Near Downtown Mall

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Man Linked to Waymo Vehicle Gunfire Taken Into Custody Following Tense Manhunt The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting...

Brentwood Weekend Specials: $9 Wine & Street Tacos, Blush-Inspired Lattes & Beauty Swag

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Street Tacos and Wine Meets Self-Care in Brentwood and Santa Monica Brentwood Fine Wines will welcome back local culinary favorite...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...