Officials voted to make Los Angeles the biggest city in the U.S. to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, but a second vote is required for final approval because the tally was not unanimous.
Nonetheless, City Council President Herb Wesson stressed to the cheering crowd that the outcome was all but certain. He told his colleagues before the 13-1 vote Wednesday that it may be the most important one of their political careers.
Mayor Eric Garcetti endorses the ordinance, which faces a final vote set for June 10.
Before the vote, representatives of the business community warned of harmful effects from an increase, while workers urged its passage.
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