Federal Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Birmingham Minimum Wage Case
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in Birmingham’s long-running attempt to raise the minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Alabama is one of five states, all in the Southeastern U.S., that has not adopted a state minimum wage, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Several years ago, the Birmingham City Council approved a city minimum of $10.10 an hour. Before it could be implemented state lawmakers blocked the increase by passing a law that requires all Alabama cities to have the same minimum wage, regardless of size or cost of living. Some state lawmakers argue a higher minimum wage for Birmingham would hurt the state’s overall economy.
The legislature was predominately white and the Birmingham City Council was majority black. Last summer, a three-judge panel said in its ruling that the “plaintiffs have stated a plausible claim that the Minimum Wage Act had the purpose and effect of depriving Birmingham’s black citizens equal economic opportunities on the basis of race.”
The case being argued this week in front the 12-judge 11th Circuit panel is reportedly the first in the country to challenge so-called preemption laws as being racially discriminatory. State Attorney General Steve Marshall, who is named in the lawsuit, says allegations about a state’s history and the race of its legislators are not enough to call into question the state’s motives when it passes standard economic legislation.
Antoin Adams, one of the plaintiffs, says minimum wage workers like him can barely get by on $7.25 an hour in Birmingham. Adams took a fast food job after high school instead of going to college.
“I’m still scraping by,” Adams says. “I don’t always know where I’m going to stay at night, let alone how I would even pay for college or rent.”
Johnathan Austin was president of the Birmingham City Council when it approved the wage increase. He also recently completed law school.
“Whatever the outcome will ultimately be, I certainly hope that the mayor and the current council will fight for the right of the citizens of Birmingham to earn a livable wage,” Austin says. He notes that some Birmingham employers have increased their minimum pay in recent years, a move he says shows support from the business community.
On Tuesday, judges on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned whether the lawsuit was properly filed against Alabama’s attorney general. The case would be thrown out if the judges determine the plaintiffs sued the wrong party.
Photo by Fibonacci Blue
Q&A: Bobby Carter on leading Tiny Desk, his time at Jackson State, early career advice
Carter, a Jackson State alumnus, took over as the new series host and producer for NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” series in April.
Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that’s under criminal investigation
McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.
‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.
This spiky-stemmed invasive grass is taking over Alabama
Classified as one of the worst weeds in the world, cogongrass aggressively crowds out native species and costs Alabama landowners tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama
Students gathered demanding the school call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and to push the school to sever ties with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
.jpg){kind=link}