A new requirement in New York City diverts city resources from what they can best address, while tying the hands of both employers and employees to find the best matches.

As the Associated Press report in Friday’s edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, New York City is mandating that employers disclose potential salaries and wages in “help wanted” ads.

First, New York City’s government has much on its plate: A subway and public transportation system that need renovations and improvement. Crime rates that, while exaggerated for partisan purposes by some, are seeing troubling increases. An almost legendary shortage of affordable housing options.

Moving city resources from these real problems to investigating how “help wanted” ads are worded is, to put it bluntly, a failure in leadership.

Second, while the provision mandates a minimum expectation and a maximum expectation of what pay can be, we question whether this is an effective stipulation for the disparity in wages and salaries based on experience and skill different candidates bring to the table. Will this mandate discourage superbly qualified candidates from pursuing an opening where they can deliver for an employer above and beyond what that employer was hoping? Will it discourage new, inexperienced employees from pursuing jobs that pay more than they feel they can justify due to that inexperience?

This concept is bad for both experienced and inexperienced workers. It’s bad for employers. It’s bad for residents that want safer streets, lower rent and a better Subway.

It’s bad for everyone.