The Omaha City Council on Tuesday followed its counterpart in Lincoln and passed a local ordinance keeping its minimum wage at $15 an hour for all workers.
The council voted 4-3 to approve the ordinance after rejecting a proposal to put it on file, which would have essentially delayed a decision until a later date, giving Omaha a chance to see what happens in the state’s case against Lincoln.
Councilwoman Aimee Melton said she doesn’t believe Omaha has the power or the authority to pass a law that is in conflict with the state law, and she said putting the proposed ordinance on file would allow a vote later if a court rules in favor of Lincoln.
“We should allow the process to work and see what happens in Lincoln,” Melton said.
Lincoln passed an ordinance on May 11 keeping its minimum wage at $15 an hour for all workers, including youth workers, as well as tying future increases to the Consumer Price Index.
That’s the way the law was written when Nebraska voters passed it in 2022, but the Legislature changed it earlier this year, setting a lower minimum wage of $13.50 for people under 16 and also limiting future increases to no more than 1.75%.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers last month filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the Lincoln law from taking effect. A judge has yet to rule on that request.
Council President Danny Begley said he believes the city should respect the widespread support from Omaha voters, who elected overwhelmingly in 2022 to support raising the minimum wage to $15 for all workers.
“I heard you — what you said,” Begley said. “Seventy-eight percent of my district. Seventy point two percent in Omaha. All seven districts said yes.”
Begley was joined in approving the ordinance by council members Pete Festersen, LaVonya Goodwin and Ron Hug. Melton, Don Rowe and Brinker Harding voted no.
“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,” Rowe said.