County-City Building in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Jeff Motz/KFOR News)LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 23)–Lincoln City Councilman James Michael Bowers on Thursday announced he will introduce an ordinance at the Council’s meeting on Monday that will maintain the minimum wage standard approved by Nebraska voters in 2022. During that November general election, 67% of local voters supported Initiative 433, establishing a path to a $15 minimum wage in Nebraska by 2026 with annual cost-of-living adjustments.  Across Lincoln, support for the statewide initiative was supported by every City Council district, with approval approaching 70% in District 1 (northeast Lincoln) and exceeding 71% in District 3 (southwest Lincoln). But Bowers said the Nebraska Legislature this past session diminished that voter-approved standard. State legislation created carveouts allowing lower wages for younger workers and capped the voter-approved inflation adjustment at 1.75%. Following introduction on April 27, the ordinance will move through the Lincoln City Council’s standard legislative process, including three readings and a public hearing, before a final vote. Bowers emphasized the proposal does not create a new policy but merely preserves one already decisively approved by voters. “The goal here is straightforward,” Bowers said. “When Lincoln voters speak clearly, it’s the job of an elected official to follow through, not walk it back.” The ordinance introduced by Bowers maintains the original minimum wage standard, without exceptions.   ...read more read less