TO THE EDITOR:
The Daily Tar Heel has devoted a lot of space to several wage increase campaigns in recent months. Most recently, the editorial staff has praised the decision by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District to implement a living wage structure for its employees. I wholeheartedly agree that wages have been unacceptably stagnant for the majority of Americans since the 1970s. I am glad that 72 people will get some relief from this disturbing trend, but I hope that we do not turn a blind eye to the spillover effects of such a decision.
According to the Orange County website, residents of the CHCCS District already pay 24 percent more in property taxes than residents of unincorporated parts of Orange County. This expense can only go up if CHCCS expects to raise wages and balance its budget. While the wealthiest residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro will have no problem covering the increase, low-income homeowners will face even more pressure to sell out to investor-owners. Landlords will pass the burden on to their renters. More people living near or below the poverty line will be squeezed out of Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
Wages should go up. If wages are to be increased in such a way that housing becomes more expensive, then we must recognize those effects. Otherwise, we have to admit that these battles are picking winners and recklessly distorting economic incentives.
John Anagnost
Graduate Student
City and regional planning
