Group pushing for $15 minimum wage in LA

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A coalition of activists drafted a ballot measure calling for a $15 an hour minimum wage in the city of Los Angeles.

The group is trying to get the initiative before L.A. voters, possibly by next year. The proposal was submitted to the City Clerk's Office by John Parker, Jose Medina, Maggie Vascessenno, Scott Scheffer and Essie Crosby.

"There's a crisis in Los Angeles of poverty, a serious crisis, a life or death crisis, and something has to be done about it now. Ten dollars a year from now, two years from now $13, it's not enough," Parker said.

California's minimum wage is currently $9 an hour. The proposal goes well beyond a measure being considered by the council that would increase the minimum wage to about $15 for some hotel workers.

Critics say the hike could result in fewer jobs as businesses struggle to control labor costs and that consumers would feel it in their wallets.

The proposal needs more than 60,000 signatures to get it on the ballot.

City News Service contributed to this report.