Topeka ? A modified living wage ordinance in Lawrence could threaten the state’s economy, according to supporters of a bill that would prevent local governments from adopting such ordinances.

“We don’t need a mish-mash of ordinances mandating different wages across the state,” Hal Hudson, state director of the National Federal of Independent Business, said.

Hudson testified today to a House committee considering a bill that would prevent cities and counties from adopting living wage ordinances.

But when challenged on how the Lawrence ordinance was hurting businesses, none of the supporters could provide answers.

Lawrence has an ordinance that says if a business receives a tax break from the city, the business must pay a minimum wage that is 130 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of three. That is approximately $9.53 an hour.

Several lawmakers said they opposed governments setting wage levels, but added the state shouldn’t prevent locals from doing that.

“Why should we not allow Lawrence to hurt its local economy?,” Rep. Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe, quipped. “We all know that Marxism is alive and well only in academia.”

No action was taken on the bill, which is House Bill 2722.