The campaign that would require developers of retail projects receiving taxpayer subsidies to pay a living wage — $10 with benefits and $11.50 without — is heating up as advocates press for an April City Council hearing. Council Speaker Christine Quinn has said she would allow hearings on the bill, which has 29 supporters, including every member of the City Council except for James Vacca of the east Bronx.

Vacca was very much on the minds and tongues of numerous speakers at a Living Wage NYC rally Monday night at the Bronx Pentecostal Deliverance Center on the anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.

The legislation was introduced by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., who led the fight to defeat the city’s plan to build a mall at the Armory, mainly because the developer would not guarantee that retail workers  be paid a living wage. Council Members Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma are leading the charge in the Council. All three spoke at the rally on Monday night.

Mayor Bloomberg is on record opposing the bill, but with five more backers, the Council would have enough votes to override his veto.