The 78th Legislature (2003) passed HB 804 prohibiting Texas municipalities from adopting local minimum wage laws for private employers

Problem:
The cost of living varies by urban and rural cities across the state of Texas varies. Although we support a state $10 minimum wage and a $4 tipped wage indexed to inflation, it will never happen at the state level as we saw this past legislative session.

Solution:
The only hope to reach a $10 minimum wage for private employers is to repeal section 62.0515 of the Texas constitution enabling cities and counties to set their own minimum wage for private employers.

Texas Constitution
Code – Labor Code
Chapter 62 – Minimum Wage
Section 62.0515 – application of minimum wage to certain governmental entities; certain agreements with governmental entities

 

CNN – Cost of living: How far will my salary go in another city?

HB 804: The “Hard Work Equals Poverty ” Bill

CPPP – Getting the Facts Straight: Texas & the Minimum Wage

Prohibiting [Texas] municipalities from setting higher than federal minimum wage

Austin Chronicle – Capital Chronicle – HB 804 [about 2/3 of the way down]

CPPP – The Case for Sound Workforce Development Policies

Update on Employment Related Legislation in 78th Texas Legislature

Truth Out – Texas Republicans Aim to Preempt Local Democracy

Texas H.B. 804 78(R) Bill Analysis

Texas Tribune – Take A Look At Very Specific Cost Of Living Maps For Texas