In this age of recalls and initiatives, one would doubt that any
particular leftist cause would find such widespread opposition in,
of all places, Madison’s Isthmus.

But the current signature campaign pushing a citywide minimum
wage has, apparently, done just that — with voices as diverse as
Gov. Jim Doyle to resident academics voicing their opposition to
the proposed 50 percent hike for all minimum-wage employees inside
Madison’s city limits.

Wednesday, the campaign met another potential roadblock as an
administrative correction determined the vote may not take place on
the originally scheduled date of Feb. 17, Wisconsin’s Democratic
Presidential primary, but instead must be pushed back to the next
regular city election April 6. While this does allow the campaign
more time to collect signatures, the campaign cannot count on the
widespread liberal vote the Democratic primary would ensure.

If adopted, the Madison Fair Wage Campaign’s proposal would
establish a minimum wage of $7.75 per hour. A group of local
politicians and labor organizers have gathered in support of the
measure, but the idea has met with the ire of Madison business
groups based from State Street to Stoughton Road.

In simple terms, this proposal overextends its reach.
Progressive Dane types continually stress their desire for a State
Street and downtown business district free of national chains but
populated by eclectic hometown shops. What they fail to realize is
that just these types of organizations are those most likely to be
affected by their proposal. The Gap and Taco Bell will not be
forced off State Street by this measure, but independent bars,
restaurants and novelty shops could see their overhead go through
the roof, paying as much as an additional $3000 per employee per
year.

This loss of income could be made up with higher prices for
consumers, but it would likely steer businesses away from the city.
What would be the incentive for establishing business inside the
city limits when labor costs could be cut by one-third in
Middleton, Fitchburg or Sun Prairie?

While the idea of helping the working poor is certainly a noble
one, if bringing a few unskilled workers higher income means fewer
job opportunities for those same workers and for students in
Madison’s vibrant independent small businesses, it is a tradeoff we
are not willing to make.

We would rather see more small businesses and job opportunities
than more Taco Bells and higher unemployment.