De Blasio Urges Passage Of Living Wage Bill
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Public Advocate Bill de Blasio is throwing his support behind the living wage bill.
He's sent a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn urging them to pass the controversial measure.
De Blasio says he supports it because it will help low income New Yorkers.
The bill would require some companies that do business with the city to pay workers at least $10 an hour with benefits and $11.50 without.
That's significantly higher than the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Small businesses and non-profits would be exempt.
Business groups and the mayor oppose the bill, saying it will kill jobs and hurt the very people it is intended to help.
De Blasio argues similar measures have been successful in cities like Los Angeles.
The majority of the City Council is believed to support the bill, but Speaker Quinn has not yet stated whether she will back it.
A spokesman for Quinn says she is reviewing de Blasio's letter and appreciates his input.