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Checked against the record · Georgia Governor 2026

Did Atlanta raise city workers' minimum wage to $15 an hour under Keisha Lance Bottoms?

Matches stated record claim. Her 2019 city budget paid for raising city workers' pay floor to $15 an hour; Mayor Kasim Reed set that goal in 2017, and it covers city workers only.

Keisha Lance Bottoms

A $15 wage for city workers

Matches stated record claim

What they say

In the October 6 debate she said Atlanta raised the minimum wage for its own employees to $15 an hour, and that as governor she would bring that wage to the state and urge private employers to follow.

What the record shows ·

Her budget for fiscal 2020, passed unanimously by the council in June 2019, paid for raising city workers' minimum wage to $15 an hour from July 1, 2019. The goal was set in June 2017, before she was mayor, when Mayor Kasim Reed announced a rise to $13 that year and to $15 over two years.

Limit: The $15 floor covers city employees only. Mayor Reed set the goal in 2017; her budget paid for the last step.

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  1. Atlanta News First governor debate, October 6, 2026 (at 10:27)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7CnmPxFCdw&t=627s

    Atlanta News First · Published Oct 6, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    The host's full video of the town hall debate. Bottoms says Atlanta raised its employees' minimum wage to $15 an hour and that she would do the same for the state. Described from YouTube's English captions of the video, read October 10, 2026; not quoted, because a second transcript to check the wording against was not available. GPB's report of the debate gives the same account.

    candidate statement

    For: Did Atlanta raise city workers' minimum wage to $15 an hour under Keisha Lance Bottoms?

  2. Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Submitted by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Unanimously Approved by City Councilhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190718141607/https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/13055/1338

    City of Atlanta, Mayor's Office of Communications · Published Jun 17, 2019 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Her office's release. Lists funding to raise the city's living wage to $15 an hour; the budget took effect July 1, 2019. Archived copy; the city's site blocks this desk.

    official office record

    For: Did Atlanta raise city workers' minimum wage to $15 an hour under Keisha Lance Bottoms?

  3. Mayor Kasim Reed Raises Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour for City Workershttps://web.archive.org/web/20170702151632/https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/5010/672

    City of Atlanta, Mayor's Office of Communications · Published Jun 21, 2017 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Mayor Reed's release. City workers' minimum wage goes to $13 on July 1, 2017, and to $15 over the next two fiscal years. Archived copy; the city's site blocks this desk.

    official office record

    For: Did Atlanta raise city workers' minimum wage to $15 an hour under Keisha Lance Bottoms?