Statewide $15 Minimum Wage Bill Stalls in Senate – Won’t Vote on House Bill

Once again, the last line of defense in the State Senate has business owners - especially small ones - breathing a sigh of relief. At least ones OUTSIDE of Seattle.

The Washington State Senate Commerce and Labor Committee announced Tuesday they will not be voting on the House-passed HB1355, which would create a $15 minimum wage across all of Washington state.  By not voting on the bill, it stalls and basically will die and go away.

Senator Mike Baumgartner, who chairs the committee, made it clear the GOP position when he said:

"(the Senate) wouldn't put people in Eastern Washington out of work to placate the egos of extreme Seattle liberals." 

The City of Seattle, and it's suburban neighbor The City of SeaTac have already passed $15 minimum wage laws, and within the next two years, increases will creep upward steadily til the wage is at $15; the rate is faster for larger businesses with over 100 workers. Seattle media are already reporting on numerous business closures and some relocations, as business owners hedge against trying to keep up with rising labor costs due to the wage.

Despite protests across the country by labor unions and the labor-backed group "Fight for $15,"  many business owners and civic leaders are already complaining how the $15 minimum wage is causing business closures.  San Francisco has had several dozen small restaurants and at least four grocery stores in the Chinatown area close since the beginning of the year; the owners are shutting down now because they say they won't be able to overcome labor costs when the wage hits $15.