Bloomberg: Proposed Fair Wages Law Is "Nice," But Stupid

As expected, Mayor Bloomberg doesn't want NYC developers who get taxpayer subsidies to have to pay workers more than minimum wage. Two City Council members from the Bronx are introducing legislation that would require developers who receive public subsidies worth more than $100,000 to pay workers at least $10 an hour, plus benefits. But Bloomberg says that's crazy, and will kill growth.

"It's a nice idea but is poorly thought out and will not work," Bloomberg told reporters yesterday. "The economics don't work if you have to pay more." As an example, Bloomberg cited the Kingsbridge Armory shopping mall project, which ended in failure after developers refused to guarantee that workers would be paid $10 an hour. Now, instead of crappy minimum wage jobs, Bloomberg says "we have nothing—and that's exactly what this bill would do." Oh noes, Bloomberg has nothing, too?!

But it could be argued that the proposed "Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act" would prevent deals like the Kingsbridge Armory from foundering in the future, because it would replace project-by-project wage haggling with a single citywide standard for developments. At a recent forum on wage levels, Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito asked the golden question: "If you're going to do business in the City of New York and you receive a subsidy from the City of New York, what is the minimum expectation that we're asking of you in terms of what you're giving back?"

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By John Del Signore in News on May 25, 2010 11:15 AM

Comments [rss]

twentyfive25

Only the old fay queen needs to make a living.

Guest

wow. this one really makes my skin crawl, and i'm not even that political. even the purest part of my soul says "this dick is a bitch-ass motherfucker."

cool. now i can teach kids how to say really bad things in a good and justified way.

John L

As to this argument about "GROWTH", growth for who? Is growth getting as many people as possible to work for $7.25 an hour with no benefits, while developers make millions? That's growth? If that's growth then who needs it. Are the people making $7.25 an hour or $1015 a month BEFORE taxes (based on a 35 hour work week) going to be able to afford to live in these developments?

So developers get our taxpayer subsidies to enable them to make massive profits then the taxpayers will also have to foot the bill when their uninsured employees get sick and need some healthcare, so we get screwed all the way around.

Bloomberg is despicable! He gets so mad at even the thought of the little guys getting even the smallest piece of the pie. What a horrible man.

John L

I posted this testerday and here it goes again:

You guys are arguing about $10, WTF? Is everyone serious? I think $10 an hour should be minimum wage for anyone, over 18 and living in NYC. You guys are crying in defense of millionaire and billionaire developers over the poor person who stands to make an extra $80 a week from this, are you kidding me? Any developer looking for government assistance should make some concessions and I think this is actually on the low side but better than nothing.

And to our Billionaire Buffoon Mayor Bloomberg, how dare you go against this! How dare you, the 16th Richest Man in the World try to fight against a $2 wage increase for New Yorkers. You should be ashamed of yourself! Taking the side of your rich developer buddies and going against the poorest NYers. You are a DISGRACE! You call yourself a philanthropist? You're a clown who's allowed his friends to loot this city for far too long. The money only bothers you when its going to the poorest NYers but when you're paying your "connected" buddies millions in consulting fees then it's ok, right? You are a hypocrite and egotistical, arrogant disgrace of a human being.

You've bought off everyone in this city including the media so no one dares question you but you know what's New York's best kept secret?

YOU ARE THE WORST MAYOR EVER.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Exactly if no living wages than no subsidies. Either way, taxpayers are better off.

ckl

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO EQUILIBRIUM

luke*

Adding my voice to the chorus of "fuck growth." Why is the goal of economists always growth? Because unfortunately our economic system can't survive without growing, and the only way to do that is to create more minimum wage slave jobs while people like Bloomberg skim as much as they can off the top.

really!?!?

Every economists goal is growth because we have a growing population. Without growth we would have exploding unemployment. Only 20% of kids graduating college this year have jobs, which is on top of almost 10% unemployment. Without growth these numbers will not improve and we will experience something akin to the "lost generation" that Japan went through in the 90's.

John Del Signore

+1

cmdrogogov

Why is this asshat still mayor?

Chase

How about we look at the whole concept of a minimum wage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage

As much as we may hate Bloomberg (I certainly do), he is right. It will kill growth.

JacqueMehoff

how about we apply a "maximum wage" law?

it won't kill growth, they'll just find more creative ways to milk us taxpayers or some brand new excuse or threaten to leave NYC.

Chase

We're always getting milked.

How about we just stop giving subsidies all together!

Splicer

In every society there comes a time when people are pushed too far. Rich asses like Bloomberg might see themselves as kings of the world but eventually all kings must fall.

Gotham Extremist

I take julie annie over this clown any day

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

So Christine Quinn and Bloombucks pushed and passed the bill to increase the rate to $100/hr for carriage drivers who are illegal mexicana and Turks that abuses horses and don't pay taxes but not for Nyc residents? Be prepare for thar state to bail out OTB while schools and parks are closed.

JacqueMehoff

He is a spiteful man. listen to him.

it's my ball and I'm taking it with me. I got mine, Eff yours. None for you.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Oh snap, bloomberg called us Stupid. Get those torches and pitchforks

pal

hey bloomie is this a third world country or something?

people are asking for $10 and hour and benefits. $10 and hour is barely enough to live on in this city and you still won't give in on this. you're a disgusting man.