Tonight, Mayor Sly James proves that he's all talk and his words of encouragement to the working poor have been nothing more than empty rhetoric.
Back in 2015, the Mayor was full of EPIC pronouncements and support for a $15 "Fair Wage" minimum wage increase for local workers.
Today . . .
THE MAYOR ABANDONS SUPPORT FOR THE KANSAS CITY $15 MINIMUM WAGE AND HOPES TO FOCUS ACTIVISTS ON MISSOURI POLITICOS IN JEFF CITY!!!
Here's the double talk statement that tops the news tonight. Checkit:
On Minimum Wage Increase – Shortcuts Lead to Dead-ends
Beyond the corny and folksy chatter, check the his latest shuffle and pivot on the topic that's sure to anger both sides of the issue:
This Thursday, I will introduce a resolution calling for support of a statewide initiative petition to amend state statute and raise the minimum wage in Missouri.
For the last two years, my office has worked with local labor leaders, community, and faith organizations in order to find an effective and meaningful way to amend state law and raise the minimum wage by statewide initiative petition. In my mind it’s not enough to simply advocate, we have to build coalitions around policies that actually help people make ends meet.
Last year, I began meeting regularly with mayors from across the state. Our meetings are an effort to better understand the needs and challenges among urban and rural communities. I believe a minimum wage increase is something that can have broad support in both urban and rural communities across Missouri.
Increasing the minimum wage in Kansas City has been a journey that began in 2015. I was proud to vote for a minimum wage increase in 2015 when I supported ordinance 150217. This ordinance was the result of open debate, compromise, and most importantly – we believed it was the right thing for Kansas City. However, the ordinance was immediately subjected to a referendum, and repealed.
Two years later – the effort to give deserving men and women a raise has encountered: One law passed by the state legislature prohibiting cities from increasing their minimum wage, one referendum, one initiative petition, two court cases and finally – this week – a new bill introduced in Jefferson City that would strip any right of our city, or any Missouri city, to increase their minimum wage.
It’s become apparent: The only feasible solution available to us is to take this to a statewide vote and remove legislative obstruction, ensuring Kansas City, and all Missourians, can vote to raise their wage.
Missouri workers deserve a raise. Families deserve security. And It’s time to put politics aside.
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Translation . . .
MAYOR SLY JAMES SOLD OUT KANSAS CITY FAIR WAGE FIGHTERS AND BETRAYED PROMISES TO HELP THEIR CAUSE AMID THIS RUSH TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATION BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!
This is the worst kind of move because it's not going to make anyone happy . . . He's still putting pressure on small biz who feel threatened by this move . . . Yet the milquetoast effort will certainly be defeated at the statewide level and he's basically leading the working poor to the political slaughter.
For a more direct look at the legislative deadline crisis behind the scenes of this issue, check a statement from Councilman Quinton Lucas on the topic . . .
The 3rd District At-Large politico provides an explanation of the ordinance and the deadline |KCMO confronts this week.
Nevertheless . . .
More than anything, the Mayor's statement from City Hall plays of political hot potato, kicks the can down the road or simply demonstrates a failure of a local leader to admit the facts . . .
Mayor Sly is willing to talk a good game about the "Fight For $15" but he won't do anything substantive to help their cause.
You decide . . .
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