Is there a precedent for trickle-downers being quite *this* wrong about the minimum wage?

Some opponents of Initiative 1433 to raise the minimum wage — including several newspaper editorial boards — have been trying to make the claim that lifting the minimum wage from $9.47/hour this year to $13.50 over the next four years is an “unprecedented” increase. It seems to be in some kind of anti-1433 opposition talking point. (They must think it makes them sound smart. Or maybe they're just kinda desperate?)  

Because here's the reality: there is plenty of precedent for the minimum wage increase in I-1433. In fact, every single recent minimum wage increase at the state and federal levels back to 1977 raised wages by at least as much per year as I-1433 would. (And that’s not even mentioning Seattle and SeaTac.)

Some opponents of Initiative 1433 have been trying to make the claim that lifting the minimum wage from $9.47/hour this year to $13.50 over the next four years is an “unprecedented” increase. In fact, every single recent minimum wage increase at the state and federal levels back to 1977 raised wages by at least as much per year as I-1433 would. 

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This Tri-Cities restaurant owner says the sky will fall if the minimum wage goes to $13.50/hour — after saying the same thing about increases to $8.67, $9.04, $9.32, and $12

For at least the sixth time in the past six years, the owners of one Kennewick restaurant have predicted that the sky will fall if the minimum wage increases to $8.67, $9.04, $9.32, $12, $13.50, and more… and yet the sky has remained aloft. In fact, jobs and business continue to grow in the Washington restaurant industry.

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Raise the minimum wage and raise up Washington with Initiative 1433

When passed, I-1433 will raise up Washington workers and Washington’s economy by increasing the statewide minimum wage to $13.50/hour over the next four years and providing up to 7 days of paid sick & safe leave for workers in our state. Raising wages is good for workers and it’s good for the economy too. After all, when more people have more money, that means more customers for more businesses. And that raises up everyone!

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Why Michaelene from Port Orchard Supports Initiative 1433

Michaelene is a mother who lives in Port Orchard and has worked a variety of low-wage jobs while supporting her son.

Michaelene and her son

Michaelene and her son

Apartment & mortgage costs have so exponentially risen since the 1990s that it leavesthe present minimum federal & state wages way behind cost-of-living recovery from rise in basic household expenses, and health care premiums & out-of-pocket expenses required for family members' care for improving to their potential.

I worked from when I was twelve and my mom recovered with physical, speech & occupational therapies [from] a cardiac arrest during surgery. Worked for my dad, Sears, The Bon Marche, University of Washington Health Sciences, VA Medical Ctr., Preschool Care Centers., Seattle Urban League Education secretary and King County council & land use office technician. Worked part-time at V.A. Medical Center. to return for A.S. and, eventually bachelor and education degrees. Could not survive on a beginning teacher salary in 1987 & raise my son having speech-language cerebral palsy, ADHD & high-functional Autism Spectrum Disorder. I had to constantly advocate with government and insurance agencies for son's therapies while holding my 35-40 hour of work a week and tending to my son's personal growth, education & medical prescriptions.

Even a small amount of increased wages would allow families to cover utility bills increased through no fault of their own, gas tank fill-up for transportation to work, transit pass for half or a full month (if service available), one time a month family dinner out (supporting community economy), paying for needed family member caregiving (supporting economy), a few dollars in a savings jar or account for unexpected expenses of accidents, a family recreational activity, paying a class for training & self-improvement, plus so much more.

-Michaelene, Port Orchard

 

Do you want to speak up too? tell us why you support I-1433!