TAKOMA PARK, MD – Following a recent online uproar over the price of a burrito, the city council unanimously passed the Burrito Stabilization Act, capping the price of the popular Mexican street food at the amount it would cost to make it yourself at home.
“Rent stabilization has always been an effective tool to ensure people have access to necessities in our community,” said Councilmember Roger Gibson, who spearheaded the initiative. “So when we saw the price of a burrito climb to $15, we knew something also had to be done to prevent these evil, small restaurant owners from making too much profit by selling luxury Mexican food.”
The Burrito Stabilization Act mirrors the city’s long-standing rent stabilization laws, which have kept rental increases in check for years. It also provides a simple calculation for restaurant owners to set burrito price increases. According to the new law, the price increase cannot exceed 6% of a customer’s hourly wage, multiplied by their annual income, minus the property tax they paid last year, divided by the local sales tax rate, and multiplied by the square footage of their house plus the diameter of a tortilla imported from Mexico.
The ordinance also includes provisions for a “Burrito Board” to oversee pricing and ensure compliance. The Board will consist of local food bloggers, self-proclaimed burrito experts, a vegan with every food allergy, a person who doesn’t even like burritos, and at least one board member of the TPSS Co-op.
Though at first annoyed, restaurant owners eventually agreed it was the right thing to do to uphold the moral standards of an inclusive community. “I may not be able to pay my staff, rent, or utilities this month, and we might have to close our doors by the end of the summer, but at least I know these government-set prices will stave off any negative reviews – and that helps me sleep at night,” said Camila Perez, owner of Sancho Panza Burritos.
The Burrito Stabilization Act has already caught the attention of leaders and policymakers around the region. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced plans to expand price stabilization to all restaurants and marijuana dispensaries across Montgomery County, and local banks have even begun offering a new Burrito HELOC loan allowing seniors on a fixed income to borrow against their million dollar historic house to purchase burritos at a low interest rate.
