Everett City Council considering minimum wage increase which would top Seattle’s
At a recent Everett City Council meeting, Councilmember Mary Fosse introduced legislation which would increase Everett’s minimum wage to up to $20.24/hour for local businesses. The City of Seattle’s current minimum wage is $19.97/hour and Washington State’s is $16.28/hour. Fosse’s proposal, if approved, would send the question of a minimum wage increase to the voters on the upcoming November general election ballot.
While proposals to increase the minimum wage may be well-intentioned, their effects inevitably harm consumers, businesses, and even workers. The Washington Policy Center recently cited reports from California which showed significant consumer price increases and business closures as a result of unreasonable minimum wage increases. As for workers, minimum wage hikes often lead to reduced hours, loss of benefits, and/or layoffs.
The Everett City Council will be deliberating in the coming weeks on whether to place this proposal on the ballot. Your engagement can make a big difference on this critical issue.
Please contact the Everett City Councilmembers today by emailing council@everettwa.gov