The Living Wage Mandate Works

"One of the main arguments marshalled by opponents of living wage in New York City, including some unions, is that it will deter development in low-income areas where development is already difficult enough.

The wage requirements would apply to developers who receive city subsidies and whose annual revenue is greater than $5 million.

In his testimony last week, Tokumbo Shobowale, chief of staff to the deputy mayor for economic development, argued that 'incentive programs have been created specifically to encourage investments in job-creating projects in neighborhoods where these kinds of investments have not historically been made.'

'The effect of this bill would be to act as a disincentive to those investments," he continued. "Instead of making it easier to create jobs, this wage mandate would make it harder.'"