A controversial, fast-moving bill that, if passed, will weaken local living wage ordinances, applies to nearly one-third of Dane County’s human services contracts.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said a bill introduced by Republican lawmakers Tuesday would no longer require 65 of the 152 companies or nonprofits under contract with the county to provide human services to county residents to pay their employees a living wage.

The wage, an amount adjusted annually, is $11.33 for employees who work for Dane County contractors. This includes services under contract with Catholic Charities or centers like the Colonial Club that provide supportive home care.

“These are people who help our most vulnerable residents. They bathe them, cook for them and help them get in and out of their wheelchairs,” Parisi said. “These people deserve to earn at least what we define as a living wage and they are going home and struggling to put food on their own tables.”

Parisi said someone earning the county’s current living wage would be earning just above the federal poverty level for a family of four.