Long Beach Official To Propose Eliminating Rule Requiring Contractors To Provide Health Benefits to Workers

Long Beach City Council member Rob Webb today will propose eliminating a rule that requires city contractors to pay for health insurance for their employees, the Long Beach Press Telegram reports. Webb, who was not on the council when the rule was adopted two years ago, said eliminating the requirement would save the city $260,000 a year. Under the rule, city contractors are required to provide health coverage for their employees or pay workers an additional $1.25 per hour. Webb said that "the government should not be legislating what the wages and benefits are" in the private sector. Webb added that efforts to save money in the budget may allow the city to hire additional contractors (Gewirtz, Long Beach Press Telegram, 10/6).