Believing that beneficiaries of financial assistance from the city of Fresno should be required to pay employees a living wage, a local citizens group has moved one step closer to its goal of introducing its proposal for a living wage ordinance to the Fresno City Council.

The proposal, to be introduced next month as an amendment to the municipal code, directs the city of Fresno to focus its resources for contracting and economic development assistance to businesses that demonstrate a clear and ongoing commitment to the creation and retention of jobs with family-supporting wages for Fresno residents.

The proponents of the measure say that the city of Fresno will benefit from a living wage by:

#Reducing public assistance by fostering jobs that support families
#Stimulating local businesses by increasing residents' purchasing power
#Increasing sales tax revenues for the city
#Strengthening communities by giving families financial stability
#Level the playing field for employers currently paying a living wage

And there is widespread support for a living wage ordinance. According to the website, 39 organizations and individuals are supporting the proposal -- including labor, civic, community, and faith-based groups.

The Fresno Living Wage committee is asking residents of the city of Fresno to show their support by contacting their City Council representative. The Fresno Living Wage Initiative website includes information on how to do this.