Living Wage Plan

“ ‘Living Wage’ Plan Cost Is Pegged at $130 Million a Year” (Dec. 12) reports on a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored critique of a 150-page study by myself and several colleagues of the proposed living wage ordinance. This is curious, since The Times has given little coverage to our study itself, nor did the reporter ask me to comment on the critique of our work.

In fact, the critique is intemperate and wildly inaccurate, replete with unsubstantiated and false assertions, misrepresentations, simple errors and ad hominem slurs. Because this document nevertheless represents the position of the Chamber of Commerce, it may still be considered newsworthy. But according to what measure of fairness does the critique deserve prominent coverage while our study itself--the target of the critique--is ignored?

ROBERT POLLIN

Professor of Economics

UC Riverside