Yesterday was a great day for Los Angeles.

After nearly eight months of deliberation, that included seven hearings, three studies, a peer review, and more than 600 personal testimonials, the Los Angeles City Council has approved the drafting of a city-wide minimum wage policy that will help lift thousands of hardworking men and women out of poverty.

The road here has not been easy.

Our work is not yet done.

But our bold action yesterday was a key step toward enacting one of the nation’s most aggressive plans to address urban poverty and income inequality.

Fifty years ago our civil rights leaders fought for social justice and equality.

A key piece of their efforts was establishing a minimum wage that could be a safety net for our most vulnerable workers.

Los Angeles now has taken bold action to stand by that commitment.

Few places will feel the benefits of this new wage ordinance more than the community I represent, where thousands of residents struggle every day to make ends meet despite working two and three jobs.

With a 14-1 vote, the City Council approved a framework for the city attorney to begin drafting a Minimum Wage Ordinance for the city of Los Angeles. This comes as the result of the minimum wage proposal introduced by me and my colleagues, Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Mike Bonin and Gil Cedillo, last October.

The ordinance will take the city-wide minimum wage to $15 by July 1, 2020, for most businesses.

Smaller businesses and non-profits with 25 employees or fewer will raise wages to $15 by 2021.

Beginning July 1, 2022, the minimum wage will be increased annually at a rate consistent with the Consumer Price Index.

In the coming weeks, the Economic Development Committee will study the issue of paid leave, which I strongly support, as well as the issue of service charges and an exemption for specific non-profits providing services to transitional workers.

I would like to thank the hundreds of community residents, stakeholders who participated in our thorough debate process for their feedback and input.

Their role was invaluable. It has truly helped us craft a stronger policy. I am eager to continue partnering with Council President Herb Wesson, my Council colleagues and Mayor Garcetti as we work to finalize this critical piece of legislation

Councilman Price may be contacted at http://www.the-new-ninth.com/