Andrew Savulich/News

Demonstrators protest in support of a bill that would require developers receiving heavy government support to pay 'living wages' above the minimum wage.

City Council members skewered the Bloomberg administration Thursday for opposing a bill that would mandate a "living wage" for workers in city-subsidized developments.

Hizzoner's team insists that the bill, by forcing firms in subsidized projects to pay more than minimum wage, would scare away those firms and developers.

"There are some jobs that aren't going to be high-paying jobs, and if you drive them out of the city, nobody benefits," said Bloomberg.

But Councilman Oliver Koppell (D-Riverdale), the bill's sponsor, insisted during a hearing that "taxpayer money should not be used to produce poverty wage jobs."

The legislation would set wages at $10 an hour, or $11.50 without benefits, for projects with significant city financing.