By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/East Valley Tribune
Seeing what’s happened elsewhere, the restaurant industry has convinced state lawmakers to prevent cities and counties from telling them how much they have to pay their workers.
On a voice vote, the Senate on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to legislation that would make it illegal for any Arizona city to mandate any sort of employee benefits for any company that operates within its limits. That includes not only compensation but also paid leave, allowable absences, meal breaks and even rest periods.
The House already has approved HB 2280. That means it requires only a final Senate roll-call vote before going to Gov. Jan Brewer.
Sherry Gillespie, lobbyist for the Arizona Restaurant Association, said there is no real problem here – yet. But she said members of her organization are mindful of what is occurring elsewhere.
“We’re fortunate to get out in front of it,” she said.
Some cities like San Francisco have imposed their own “living wage” ordinances that cover every local company.
The 2013 rate is $10.55 an hour. By contrast, Arizona’s voter-mandated minimum wage is $7.80 an hour; the federal minimum wage is $6.25.
