Can a NC city set a minimum wage higher than the state's? (Part 2)

Committee member, Jim Boyett, responded to some of Brod's concerns about a minimum wage hike. The first concern was about whether state law allowed for such an ordinance. Here is Jim's response:

I was glad to see that Andrew Brod took the time and effort to comment on the proposal to increase the minimum wage in Greensboro. We need a broad discussion of the issue from all points of view. My hope would be this will lead to a better decision by the people when they make their decision. I want to comment on several points that he made.

"Right off the bat, however, my understanding is that such an ordinance isn't allowed by state law."

What I would like to suggest is that I don't want those of you out there reading these comments to take as absolute truth anything that Andrew Brod or anyone else says about this issue. You should question and demand that opinions be supported by facts and other authorities. On the question of legality I am providing a link to North Carolina General Statute GS 160A-174 because it is the grant of broad power that gives cities like Greensboro the "Police Power." If a City has this "Police Power" it has the power to create a minimum wage. The New Mexico Court of Appeals issued its opinion on November 29, 2005 affirming the right of the City of Santa Fe to create a minimum wage because it had this broad legislative police power. Read the statute and case for yourself. What we are proposing is not an off the wall crazy scheme. It has already been done in 4 cities.