To the editor:

I am writing in response to Larry Agan’s letter of Sept. 19 concerning living wages. The Lawrence Living Wage Alliance is not arguing that we shouldn’t “let our free enterprise system continue to work.” All they rightfully argue is that companies which are desirous of obtaining a tax abatement must pay wages which rise above poverty level. With the enactment of a living-wage law, any employer will still be able to set up business here and pay minimum/poverty level wages to their employees (which unfortunately will continue to occur unabated). However, we should not allow companies to set up shop here, pay our citizens minimally and get a tax break.

John Frydman,

Lawrence