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
A new biography zeroes in on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s superpower
The secret to his success isn't just genius — it's collaboration a lot of creative friends. Author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner interviewed more than 150 people for his biography about the Hamilton creator.
In 2022, the name ‘monkeypox’ was nixed. Now the U.S. is reviving it
The World Health Organization retired the name "monkeypox" in favor of mpox — since the virus is spread by rodents and small mammals and there's a stigma factor. Why has the U.S. revived "monkeypox"?
The suspect in Charlie Kirk killing has been arrested. Here’s what we know
The suspect has been identified as Tyler Robinson of Utah. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson's family members reached out to a friend, who contacted the Washington County sheriff's office on Thursday.
South Africa reopens inquest into death of Steve Biko
South Africa has reopened the investigation into the death of anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko — 48 years after he was killed in police custody.
Memphis latest city Trump is targeting for federal government actions to combat crime
In an interview Friday morning, President Trump announced Memphis is his next target for federal intervention to combat crime. The president said he has support from Tennessee's governor and Memphis' mayor.
Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Ukraine in support of wounded troops
Britain's Prince Harry has arrived in Ukraine for a surprise visit in support of wounded service members.
.jpg){kind=link}