Last month, King County’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee (TrEE), introduced another bill to raise the minimum wage to more than $20.29 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2025. There was no recognition
of tips, health care or other benefits.
Last summer, no fewer than six cities considered raising their minimum wage to roughly $20 an hour.
What's interesting in all this minimum wage activity is that we had an economy that not only ensured everybody who wanted a job had one, but they had choices of two or three or more. Therefore, employers were competing for not only new workers but all workers, including retaining the ones we had. Good workers were demanding and receiving higher wages because the three employers up the street would pay it if their existing employer wouldn’t.
This worker shortage has been well-covered by media and elected officials are well briefed AND this did nothing to slow down proposals for higher minimum wages.
Here's my point. Being involved, caring about your community and protecting your business never ends. We are always going to live in a state that will push the boundaries around taxes, labor and other regulatory issues. You must be involved to prevent these things from happening.
In a recent survey of our members, more than 35% of you said you have a positive relationship with a local elected official. But if we want the power to win on these issues, or at least define reasonable solutions, we're going to have to double that number.
I met last year with an operator who was complaining about the business environment in Washington state. I encouraged him to attend our meetings and I encouraged him to meet with his local government official and tell him what he thinks. Naively, he said, “I pay you to do that.”
You don’t pay us to do that. No more than you pay the dentist to brush your teeth every day. You pay us to make sure those meetings ultimately bear fruit. But your relationship, your personal story—your real life—is what's going to make the difference between horrible laws and reasonable ones in our state.
One of our members was active in the Seattle minimum wage conversation back in 2014. One of the biggest lessons he learned at the time is that facts don't matter. It’s the personalized stories that will beat straight facts every day.
If you want to protect yourself against a $20 to $21 minimum wage and elimination of natural gas or government theft of your gift cards, then invite your legislator to lunch. Open your books or contact our grassroots coordinator, Dale Porter, to see who you can most help.
Dale is launching a brand-new statewide business tour program. The goal is to invite elected officials to tour our businesses and show lawmakers the in-and-outs of how we operate. During this meeting, we want to establish that you are the expert on hospitality issues and ultimately influence the lawmaker for whom you vote. Please contact Dale if you have any questions or if you are interested in becoming a business tour host.
If you live in King County, you can also sign our Action Alert to tell your county council members what an increase in minimum wage means for your business.
Our reality is we can't have lobbyists in every city. Ultimately, you are going to have to be your own voice. We can set it up for success, but you must knock it out.
I'm reminded of my friend who's paid for a gym membership for the past five years. He told me his gym sucks because he hasn't lost any weight. “Well,” I said, “how many times have you gone?”
We provide you with the tools and the equipment for you to succeed. You have got to get up and go to the gym to make it happen.
As always, it’s an honor to serve you.
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