Studies of cities that have living wage ordinances indicate that they have had neither a negative impact on the economy nor led to increased costs to taxpayers through higher-priced city contracts. I live on the coast in southern Maine, across the river from Portsmouth New Hampshire. Here, as in many places, job growth has outpaced job loss and unemployment rates are low. But this rosy economic picture does not tell the whole story. Wages are not keeping pace with housing costs.
Recent reports document the real costs of living on the Seacoast for various types of families.
The costs are far higher than most people realize. Now that there is data on what it actually costs to live in this area, a group of concerned citizens have begun to organize a campaign for a Living Wage ordinance in Portsmouth. Ours would be the first such ordinance in the state. We believe that using taxpayer money as leverage to raise wages for the working poor is good for workers and for business. Portsmouth's current economic boom would offset higher wage costs.