Does a city even have the authority to do this? Yeah, I suppose if it's a Liberal demesne like Seattle anything is possible.

"Seattle's city council on Monday unanimously approved an increase in the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour, making it the nation's highest by far.

The increase was formally proposed by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, and his spokesman said he intends to sign the ordinance on Tuesday.

Washington already has the nation's highest state-level minimum wage, at $9.32. That rate also applies to the city.

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25, and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for a gradual increase to $10.10, but so far to little effect.

The increase to $15 in Seattle will take place over several years based on a scale that considers the size of and benefits offered by an employer. It will apply first to many large businesses in 2017 and then to all businesses by 2021.

The first increase, on April 1, 2015, brings the minimum wage to $10 for some businesses and $11 for others.

The advocacy group 15 for Seattle estimates the wage hike will benefit more than 100,000 workers. "

It will benefit 100,000 workers? That is all those who don't lose their jobs and those business owners who go out of business because of this.

They did this in SeaTac and it is a disaster. Workers losing jobs, benefits and hours. Consumers paying more through surcharges related to the wage hike. In some cases business closed or just left.

All this is true: "They did this in SeaTac and it is a disaster. Workers losing jobs, benefits and hours. Consumers paying more through surcharges related to the wage hike. In some cases business closed or just left.;, but as always with Liberals, it's not the results that matter, but intentions.

Speaking of SeaTac:

"In the city of SeaTac, Wash., where the minimum wage is now $15 an hour, one business is charging customers a “living wage” surcharge.

An airport parking service, Masterpark, “is charging customers an additional 99 cents per parking day,” reported Northwest Watchdog."

Who woulda thunk such a thing could happen?

Well, ok, this guy and anyone else with half a brain.

"James Sherk, a senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, remains unsurprised by the development of a living wage charge in SeaTac. Sherk said when labor costs increase, naturally or by design, companies have only two options—decrease payroll or raise prices. In the case of Seattle, he said, “I expect to see both.”"

http://dailysignal.com/2014/06/07/busine...wage-surcharge/