Local News

City of San Marcos Sets $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

The City of San Marcos, TX has taken the bull by the horns in the “living minimum wage” debate in the U.S. by setting a $15 per hour base rate of pay for businesses within its limits. In an effort to ensure continued growth and that everyone effectively makes at least a living wage, leaders of the booming town (which grew close to 8 percent from 2013 to 2014) established this rate for businesses applying for incentives and tax breaks.

“We Want Jobs”

City of San Marcos Sets $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage

Photo: Flickr/Flazingo Photos

“We want jobs,” said Councilman John Thomaides in an interview with CNHI, “But if you’re going to pay poverty-level wages, we’re not going to give you subsidies.” In 2015, the US Census Bureau named San Marcos the fastest growing city in America, however city council members’ chief concern is that jobs and wage rates weren’t comparable to that growth.

No “Invisible Subsidy”

City of San Marcos Sets $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage

Photo: Flickr/Tax Credits

In an interview with KTBC, City of San Marcos Councilor Scott Gregson identified that the $15 minimum wage was intended to create a “bottom line” for local business while allowing families to feed, house, and educate their children. Although the state of Texas has no minimum wage standard, San Marcos has taken that step to avoid an “invisible subsidy” through taxpayer support of business development with no increased jobs or livable wages in return. That’s something the City of San Marcos is looking to avoid with this forward-thinking initiative.