Notwithstanding difficulties within the SEIU offices as outlined above, their push for increased minimum wages seems to be growing new appendages in some locales around the country. Earlier this month, the Common Council of South Bend Indiana expanded its current minimum wage requirement when it voted to tie tax abatements for private businesses to minimum wages and to mandate minimum 2 per cent annual increases over the life of the abatement. The current minimum, which is $8.20 per hour, will rise to $10.10 effective January 1^st under the ordinance. The annual increase amendment, now mandated by the ordinance, was added by South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg who also recently proposed a paid sick leave policy for city employees in South Bend that would pay them 100% pay for 6 weeks after the birth or adoption of a child.