Omaha City Council Adopts $15 Minimum Wage, Following Lincoln’s Lead
In a significant move echoing recent developments in Lincoln, the Omaha City Council has voted to maintain a minimum wage of $15 an hour for all workers. The decision, reached by a narrow 4-3 margin, underscores a growing trend of local governments asserting their autonomy in wage policies.
The ordinance was approved after the council dismissed a suggestion to postpone the decision, which would have allowed Omaha to monitor the outcome of a legal challenge against Lincoln’s similar ordinance. Councilwoman Aimee Melton highlighted concerns about potential conflicts with state law, suggesting that delaying the vote could allow the city to act based on the court’s ruling regarding Lincoln. “We should allow the process to work and see what happens in Lincoln,” Melton remarked.
This decision follows Lincoln’s passage of its minimum wage ordinance on May 11, which set the wage at $15 for all workers, including youth workers, and linked future increases to the Consumer Price Index. This ordinance aligns with the original voter-approved law from 2022, which was later amended by the state Legislature to set a $13.50 minimum wage for workers under 16 and cap future raises at 1.75%.
The legal landscape remains uncertain as Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has initiated a lawsuit seeking to halt Lincoln’s ordinance. The court has yet to issue a ruling on this matter.
Council President Danny Begley emphasized the importance of respecting the democratic will of Omaha’s electorate, referencing the overwhelming voter support for the wage increase in 2022. “I heard you — what you said,” Begley stated. “Seventy-eight percent of my district. Seventy point two percent in Omaha. All seven districts said yes.”
Joining Begley in supporting the ordinance were council members Pete Festersen, LaVonya Goodwin, and Ron Hug. Opposing votes came from Melton, Don Rowe, and Brinker Harding. Rowe expressed concerns about the legality of the decision, stating, “We serve at the pleasure of the state, and for us to pass this, puts us in direct violation of state law, in my opinion.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, Omaha stands firm in its commitment to a $15 minimum wage, reflecting a broader debate over local versus state authority in wage legislation.
