LEGISLATION BLOCKING PREFERENCE TO CERTAIN CONTRACTORS PASSES HOUSE

Wednesday, February 23, 2005 ~ Marietta Daily Journal

   By Aaron Boca - Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

ATLANTA - The battle between the City of Atlanta and Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) continues.

Ehrhart on Tuesday scored his second blow against Atlanta city officials with the passage of a bill that would block the city from giving preference to contractors who pay their employees more than the federal minimum wage.

The bill passed the House 105-57, with Cobb Reps. Alisha Thomas Morgan (D-Austell), Don Wix (D-Mableton) Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta) and Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna) voting against the bill.

Ehrhart has already introduced legislation that would prohibit cities from imposing fines against private entities that don't extend benefits to unmarried partners.

Ehrhart's bill on Tuesday was meant to block efforts like those being talked about in Atlanta where city officials are trying to persuade cleaning and security contractors to pay their employees a "living wage" that would more than double the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour.

Critics said Ehrhart's legislation is a step in eroding the local authority of city governments.

Ehrhart has said he has no bone to pick with Atlanta. But he also has said he doesn't agree with Atlanta officials in matters where city government establishes policies meant to encourage benefits beyond what federal law specifies.

"It's an issue I'm not afraid to defend," Ehrhart said in January when he defended his legislation to block Atlanta's attempt to require that a local country club extend membership benefits to the partner of a gay club member.

Ehrhart, who is chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee, said Atlanta is overstepping its bounds as a government through city officials' efforts to encourage some contractors to pay a living wage.

"It's about as voluntary as a brick bat," Ehrhart said from the House floor, criticizing the push for a living wage in Atlanta.

Atlanta officials had recently called for a voluntary effort from its contractors to adopt a wage of $10.50. State law already prohibits cities from passing mandatory living wage ordinances.

"We're getting ready to cross this line of local control," said Rep. Douglas Dean (D-Atlanta), who urged lawmakers to vote against Ehrhart's bill.

Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Kennesaw) said the Legislature is within its rights to set limits on living wage ordinances.

"We're not here to take away local control from the cities," Setzler said. "But we are here to determine what boundaries - what kind of framework - cities should operate within."

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