I own a small construction firm in Baltimore City and support the ordinance for a local $15 per hour minimum wage. I believe in paying people enough to live with dignity, something all business owners should do. Higher wages can change our poverty stricken, post-industrial city. When I entered the construction industry 20 years ago, I was making $10 per hour. In 2016, I already pay people no less than $15 as a starting wage. Even though I could pay less, my workers deserve and earn every penny. As an employer, I make sure of that.
Poverty far too often defines educational, health, and social outcomes — such as how we are treated by the newly exposed unconstitutional and racist practices of the police and "justice" system.
We desperately need to explore solutions to poverty, and the $15 ordinance is a worthy experiment. Seattle has seen positive results with a similar ordinance that went into effect over a year ago. I want my city and its residents to prosper. Raising the wage is a great start.
Mike McGuire, Baltimore
The writer is principal of Balzino Building Co.