DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson issued the following statement regarding the Mayor’s veto of Bill 20-62, the “Large Retailer Accountability Act of 2013”:

“The fundamental issue with the Mayor’s veto is whether the District’s economic development strategy should be focused on attracting low paying jobs.  Minimum wage should not be our goal.  These are not career building jobs.  A family cannot afford to live in the District on minimum wage.

A sound economic development strategy for a sustainable District of Columbia should not be predicated on low-wage jobs.  The District needs jobs, but they should be decent jobs with decent wages.”

The Council has 30 days to consider whether to override the Mayor’s veto.  However, the Chairman is scheduling the vote for next Tuesday’s legislative meeting.