Good news for those who are moving to Kansas City, as council members approve to raise the minimum wage to $13 by 2020. This four and half year process was voted and approved by all members of the council and Mayor Sly James. While many Kansas City movers are happy with the approval, questions have been raised on whether it could withstand a legal challenge. Councilman Scott Wagner, who said he was certain the city would be sued, added that sometimes it becomes important to “take a stand” even though it is “precarious.”

Andrew Kling, the spokesman for Communities Creating Opportunity, a faith-based community organizing nonprofit in Kansas City, called the vote an “important first step forward” on a “profoundly moral issue.” But business groups are questioning the legality of the ordinance, which calls for businesses with more than 15 employees to begin paying at least $8.50 an hour by Aug 24. The minimum wage would rise again on January 1, 2017, to $9.82 an hour and be followed by annual increases to $10.96, $11.98, and ending at $13 an hour by 2020. As the years continue, Kansas City will be adjusting the cost-of-living to ensure a growing economy. Although this would mean that Kansas City moving companies would also have to raise their minimum wages, companies like All My Sons Moving & Storage are excited to see if the rise in wages will attract more people to move to Kansas City.

Due to the 1998 law that bans counties and cities from enacting minimum wages higher than those set by the state, some legal actions will be made towards the approved ballet. However, because the law is violating the state constitution, sweeping differences have interpreted whether or not the 1998 law still stands.

Despite the legal challenges, Kansas City officials are taking the right steps toward a better tomorrow. Mayor Sly James says, “We are doing what we are doing because we believe in the moral aspects of raising people up.”