Given the increasing disparity among wage earners here, passing higher minimum wage laws in all cities in Santa Clara County is long overdue. The City of San Jose set a great example that should be emulated.
If we are committed to creating and supporting a healthier, more vigorous and equitable community, this is one way to begin to address the issues. The cost of living (such as housing, food, and transportation) will continue to accelerate; without adjustments to wages, the unemployed, underemployed, and working poor in all communities will continue to struggle to make decent livings because their “buying power” purchases less and less over time. The disparities will increase.
Recent data reiterates the very high cost of living in Silicon Valley. Either renting or the possibility of purchasing a home remains a challenge or impossibility for many families. A minimum wage adjustment will help. Given the very high cost of housing, it might at least make it possible for some individuals have access to subsidized housing which is already in short supply.
The disparities in Silicon Valley will become even more exaggerated without attention to needed services and opportunities, including housing. Access to jobs is critical. If wage earners were able to live closer to jobs and not be required to use their gasoline-intensive cars, it would reduce one of the most significant sources of green house gas emissions.
Without an overdue minimum wage adjustment, we will continue to force individuals and families to make choices—doubling up families in order to be able to pay rents, making required critical purchasing choices (including necessities), moving out of the area, or being forced or enduring longer and more stressful commutes in order to be able to find “affordable” places to live.
While I recognize that minimum wage increases will not solve all issues, it is a needed and important step. All wage earners support the economic vitality of this region both now and in the future.
Encourage your community to seriously address a minimum wage adjustment as one means of helping the lowest paid workers build a more hopeful future and to be able to better provide for their families. Communities need to help each other to make this happen.
Gail Price is a Palo Alto City Council member
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