There is evidence that living wage ordinances modestly reduce the poverty rates in locations in which these ordinances are enacted.

As of 2003, there are 122 living wage ordinances in American cities and an additional 75 under discussion.

Closing loopholes in San Francisco's prevailing wage ordinance for low-paid workers like janitors.

Mayor Riordan said, however, that he agreed with supporters of the wage ordinance that income inequality had increased in part because of the decline in union bargaining power.

And most of the wage ordinances of the past decade specifically trace their origins back to Baltimore, in 1995.

Fifty cities and counties have already passed living wage ordinances.

A state district judge approved a new wage ordinance for workers in Santa Fe.

When the San Jose City Council was debating the wage ordinance Ms. Dean, all 5-feet-3 of her, came on like a petite field marshal.

Living wage ordinances require private businesses that do business with the government to pay their workers a wage that enables them to afford basic necessities.

Another device to increase wages, living wage ordinances, generally apply only to businesses that are under contract to the local government itself.