Berkeley students carry Yes on E1 signs during the Solano Stroll. Photo: Yes on E1 campaign As a presidential campaign colored by controversy inches ever closer, local races and campaigns struggle to be heard amid the cacophony. But Berkeley’s ballot is packed with measures that will determine the near-future of the city’s infrastructure, affordable housing […]
Minimum wage
Opponents reach compromise on Berkeley minimum wage ballot language
Mayoral candidates Laurie Capitelli and Jesse Arreguín: proponents for different ballot measures. Photos: Mark Coplan The two sides that placed two different ballot measures regarding the minimum wage on the November ballot reached an agreement in court Thursday that will result in a strange-looking voter information pamphlet. The supporters of Measure BB, which would have […]
Courts weigh in on two of Berkeley’s ballot measures
Laurie Capitelli. Photo: Laurie Capitelli for mayor City Councilman and mayoral candidate Laurie Capitelli has filed a lawsuit challenging wording in a ballot measure argument that links him to business interests. In a lawsuit filed Monday against the Berkeley city clerk, Mark Numainville, Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, and others, Capitelli is asking that parts of the […]
Council passes minimum wage law for $15 in 2018
The late-notice, Friday morning special council meeting drew lower-than-usual attendance. Photo: Lance Knobel Berkeley City Council unanimously approved a new law Friday that will see the city’s minimum wage increase to $15 in 2018. The vote came during an unusual Friday morning special session of the council, after weeks of negotiation to resolve a battle between […]
Council plans special meeting on minimum wage (again)
The council will hold a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, in the council chambers in Old City Hall.
Landlord group sues Berkeley over rental tax initiative
The litigation comes as the Berkeley Property Owners Association is pushing for its own competing tax initiative, Measure DD.
Council cancels special meeting on minimum wage
Berkeley City Council, Jan. 27, 2015. Photo: Emilie Raguso Update 6:15 p.m. Only three council members were present for the special meeting: Kriss Worthington, Jesse Arreguín and Darryl Moore. After brief thanks from the officials to city staff for preparing the meeting, it was canceled for lack of a quorum. Original story: Two votes scheduled for Thursday night’s special […]
Special Berkeley council meeting announced to vote on compromise minimum wage
Old City Hall. Photo by Melati Citrawireja A special meeting of the City Council has been announced for Thursday night to vote on a compromise minimum wage proposal for Berkeley. Up to this point, voters were set to consider two competing minimum wage proposals this fall, one sponsored by labor advocates, and another supported by a […]
Berkeley Council approves alternative minimum wage measure for ballot
The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce would like to have a two-track system which would give small businesses, such as restaurants, more time to raise the minimum wage. Photo: Postcard PR After a heated debate, the Berkeley City Council voted 6-3 Tuesday night to place a measure on the November ballot that would raise the minimum […]
Berkeley council votes to put minimum wage on ballot
The turnout was sparse for Tuesday night’s council meeting, which included a vote on the minimum wage. Photo: Mark Coplan The turnout was sparse for Tuesday night’s council meeting, which included a vote on the minimum wage. Photo: Mark Coplan A Berkeley City Council majority voted Tuesday night to put an alternative minimum wage proposal on […]
Berkeleyans to be asked to accelerate $15 minimum wage
Steve Gilbert (holding the mic) announces at a press conference on April 18 that the Berkeley for Working Families coalition has collected enough signatures to put a measure on the November ballot that calls for raising the minimum wage to $15 by Oct. 2017. Photo: SEIU 1021 Steve Gilbert (holding the mic) announces at a press conference on April 18 that […]
Mokka to close: Minimum wage rise a major factor
After nearly 10 years serving coffee and food to a loyal Berkeley clientèle, Mokka will close largely due to minimum wage increases.