Supporting a Living Wage

Jake Marsing believes that advocating for working families means advocating for economic justice and prosperity for all of Longmont's residents. Longmonsters deserve a raise.

Jake supports the adoption of a “Longmont Living Wage,” ultimately reaching $25 an hour and indexed to inflation, so that no one who works full time in our city is left struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise.

He believes we must get there in a smart, phased way through gradual increases, coordinated with nearby communities, so that we can track the impacts on prices, hours, and jobs as we go. This ensures Longmont raises wages responsibly while staying competitive in the region.

Jake also knows that not every job looks the same. He supports preserving pathways for teens, students, and first-time workers to get crucial early experience while making sure adults working full-time can support their families.

As a member of council, Jake is committed to working with local business owners, nonprofits, and other partners to fight for the establishment of a living wage in Longmont. That means pairing wage increases with support for small businesses — such as reducing city fees, cutting red tape, streamlining permits, and exploring child care partnerships to help employers keep staff.

When workers earn a living wage, they spend more locally, benefiting Longmont’s economy as a whole. By increasing wages the right way, Jake believes Longmont can build a stronger, more sustainable economy that works for everyone. Supporting a living wage is one of the fundamental ways Jake believes Longmont can build a city that truly works for everybody.