March 25, 2025
The Chamber has joined a coalition of business groups and leaders from the tourism industry to oppose the $25 minimum wage increase proposal brought forward by Councilmember Elo-Rivera. The Councilmember is proposing a $25 minimum wage increase for the tourism industry, specifically aimed at hotel, event center, and janitorial service workers in the tourism sector in the City of San Diego. The proposed minimum wage increase will negatively affect our entire economy. Businesses are already facing growing challenges in successfully operating in San Diego, and this increase will only exacerbate this problem.
Councilmember Elo-Rivera brought this proposal to the City’s Select Committee on Addressing the Cost of Living on February 27th, where a motion was approved 3-0 to draft ordinance language to return to the committee in early June. The Chamber issued a statement early on about the economic impact to businesses and San Diego’s competitiveness and VP of IPA Kenia Zamarripa spoke at City Council to raise business concerns about the proposal and offer support in advancing alternatives that directly address the cost of living such as increasing affordable housing.
Chamber staff recently met with a coalition to discuss our strategy moving forward, The Chamber will continue to work with our partners and stakeholders to strongly oppose this effort.