Blog

Seattle may yet vote on $15 minimum wage; San Francisco will vote on one in November

The Puget Sound Business Journal explains how Seattle voters may still see a minimum wage issue on the November ballot. As we wrote yesterday, some business leaders felt pressured by the possibility of a $15 charter amendment. While there cannot be a charter amendment in even-numbered year, an initiative is still possible. San Francisco voters […]

After getting Seattle to take the $15 leap, minimum wage activists seek second lemming

Fresh from their victory with the Seattle City Council, backers of a $15 minimum wage want to take the campaign to other cities. Homecare workers are also angling for a $15 minimum. In my column today, I urge caution. No need for any one to rush to be the second lemming. There’s a natural experiment […]

Business and labor react to proposed federal climate change regs: lost jobs, higher costs, more uncertainty

Yesterday’s announcement of new climate change regulations guarantees another marathon debate over the costs and benefits of dramatically reducing our reliance on coal. Unsurprisingly, as the New York Times reports, our state’s governor is on board. Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, a liberal who, like Mr. Obama, hopes to make climate policy a signature of […]

Seattle adopts a $15 minimum wage. Now what?

As expected, the Seattle City Council yesterday unanimously adopted a $15 minimum wage, hewing close to Mayor Ed Murray’s proposal. They did this, as the Seattle Times reports, without knowing what the consequences will be. “No city or state has gone this far. We go into uncharted territory,” said Seattle City Council member Sally Clark […]

Seattle's minimum wage law should recognize franchises are small businesses

The Seattle Times offers some good editorial counsel to the Seattle City Council. Noting that the $15 minimum wage ordinance treats franchises as big business, the Time points out that the decision makes little no sense. [There are] 1,700-some independent franchisees operating in the City of Seattle. In addition to fast-food franchises, these are businesses offering […]

Looking ahead: Minimum wage, fish consumption, data centers, and cap & trade.

The week ends with a few stories reflecting some changes ahead: Minimum Wage Puget Sound Business Journal asks, $15 minimum wage: What will Seattle restaurants with Eastside locations do? Some of the answers aren’t good. A Crosscut article, Seattle on verge of ‘historic’ action on minimum wage, closes with a curious quote from Seattle councilmember Sally Clark, who […]

Sharp dissent from a business member of Seattle mayor's minimum wage committee, city council considers amendments (UPDATED)

The Seattle Times reports that Seattle business owner Dave Meinert, a member of Mayor Ed Murray’s income inequality advisory committee is calling the process leading to a supposed compromise proposal a “charade.” His characterization is a pointed departure from Seattle nice.  … Meinert says he feels betrayed by the process because the proposal business owners […]

The "Unsession" — a great idea from Minnesota

In Minnesota this year, as part of Gov. Mark Dayton’s “Unsession” initiative, the Legislature repealed 1,175 obsolete laws. According to the Star Tribune, “Some proposals are in the name of efficiency while others revisit laws that haven’t been enforced in decades.” Additionally, the Unsession reduced permit wait times: Because of major reforms implemented by the […]

Speaker Frank Chopp in Publicola: "My goal is to pass an increased statewide minimum wage."

Publicola asked House Speaker Frank Chopp if he regretted not moving Rep. Jessyn Farrell’s proposed $12 statewide minimum wage last session. They publish his response here. This is the crux, but you’d benefit from reading it in context. My goal is to pass an increased statewide minimum wage for Washington workers and families. I am […]

Expanding access to higher education: online learning, improving transition from 2-year to 4-year institutions

Two good articles on higher education were published today. One theme they share: we need to focus on increasing access while keeping tuition affordable. In the Columbian, Don Brunell writes of the success being experienced by WGU Washington (that’s Western Governors University). The university serves working adults and the 950,000 state residents who have started […]