For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Montgomery County Council President
Roger Berliner’s Statement on
Unanimously Adopted Minimum Wage Increase Bill
ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 7, 2017—Today the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed Bill 28-17, Human Rights and Civil Liberties – County Minimum Wage – Amount – Annual Adjustment – Amendments, which would raise the minimum wage in the County to $15 an hour.
Council President Berliner’s full statement on today’s vote is below:
I am proud to have cast my vote for this amended bill. Today is a day when we proved that people of good faith and of passionate views can come together to find common ground.
From day one, I felt our task was to reconcile competing truths: the worthy cause of lifting up working people who struggle to make ends meet and the need to mitigate economic harm to our small business community, the economic engine of our County. From day one, I thought the measures before us did not find the right balance, and with the support of the County Executive, we gained the time we needed to get this right – to reconcile these competing truths.
No legislation is perfect and I am sure there will be those who find fault in this measure as amended. But it is often said that politics is the art of compromise. It is an art that, regrettably, has been lost in too many jurisdictions. It is an art that is critical to governing well.
I want to commend Councilmember Elrich, my colleagues, the many advocates who have fought for a $15 minimum wage, and the small business representatives who have been constructive voices in our deliberative process. Bottom line: Today marks an important day for workers in our County and reflects our community’s shared goal of increasing prosperity for all.