To the editor:

The living wage ordinance passed by the Lawrence City Commission a decade ago needs to be updated. Currently, the local living wage is only $9.66 per hour and only applies to a handful of companies receiving selected tax benefits. It should be noted that Kansas City, Mo., just passed an ordinance raising the minimum wage to $13 per hour by 2020. So, Lawrence should raise its living wage to $13 per hour and apply it to: (1) companies receiving any city tax benefit, (2) city contractors, (3) city government and (4) all other entities receiving city funds.

This initiative will enable families to improve their standard of living and provide them more economic security. Many household providers will be able to move off food stamps and feed their families independently. Plus, there will be more money flowing through the local economy as workers will have more money to spend. Paying a fair wage for a fair day’s work is just the right thing to do.