This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I'm disappointed with the Utah Legislature's support for Senate Bill 139 which prohibits a municipality from giving preferential treatment to employers who pay a living wage. Rocky Anderson's and Salt Lake City's desire to reward better employers is the right thing to do, and such efforts ought to be implemented all across our society.
If the wages paid to a person who works full time are insufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of living, American capitalism has failed us. I would rather think that any working person could earn not only enough to pay rent and feed a small family, but also enough to buy a home, meet medical needs and afford college educations.
Salt Lake City's efforts should be lauded and emulated. Because we apparently cannot depend on individual good intentions to achieve this modest version of the American Dream, it is appropriate for such matters to be stewarded by a city, a state or anyone else who has not been confused by market rhetoric.
Tony Weller
Sam Weller's Zion Book Store
Salt Lake City
