Why it makes no sense to tie minimum wage increases to gains in productivity
The recent push to raise the minimum wage has seen occasional efforts by proponents to relate the minimum wage to increased productivity. For example, Up to 1968, increases in the minimum wage kept up proportionately with productivity increases. That made sense, as the gains in productivity were in that way equitably shared between employers and […]
January 29 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Governor's tax proposals face skeptical Legislature
Gov. Inslee’s proposed tax increases to boost school spending look like they’ll go where they’ve gone before — nowhere. AWB president Kris Johnson had this statement. Unfortunately, the governor’s plan to eliminate a handful of tax incentives does not address the long-term funding challenge we face, and would have serious negative impacts on the employers […]
January 29 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Raising the minimum wage — government workers get it first
Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat wonders if executive orders from Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and President Obama raising the minimum wage for government employees and employees of federal contractors may backfire. It’s possible that giving huge pay hikes to some government workers will spark a prairie fire to get higher pay for all. But it […]
January 28 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Inslee promotes boost in school funding
In his state of the state message, Gov. Inslee proposed $200 million in new revenue for education. Today, the governor released his plan. The presentation materials detail the new taxes. » Repeal sales tax exemption for trade-ins valued over $10,000 » Repeal public utility tax deduction for in-state portion of interstate transportation » Repeal use […]
January 28 , 2014 - Emily Makings
"Student-athletes" and workers' comp
Football players at Northwestern University have filed a petition to unionize. According to ESPN, the approval process could take years. Here’s the part of the story that interested me the most: Northwestern is expected to oppose the action on the grounds athletes are not employees, and the NCAA, the trade association representing the athletic interests […]
January 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Inequality and the minimum wage – two different issues – and one just became more complicated
For reasons not entirely clear, discussion of increasing the minimum wage have been closely linked with expressions of concern over income inequality. In Seattle, for example, Mayor Ed Murray’s task force looking into the $15 minimum wage is called the Income Inequality Advisory Committee. Rep. Farrell’s statement in support of a $12 minimum wage included the […]
January 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Who is working for the minimum wage?
Who are the minimum wage workers? In today’s press conference, proponents concentrated on the number of adults working for the minimum wage, carefully distinguishing them from teenagers.Adults were considered to be people age 20 and older. Where you draw that line is important. For health care reform, of course, you can stay on your parents’ […]
January 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
House Democrats propose statewide $12 minimum wage
House Democrats held a press conference (video at the link) today calling for a statewide $12 minimum wage. HB 2672 would take the wage to $12 by 2017. The Seattle Times reports: Under the proposal, the state’s current $9.32 cent-an-hour minimum wage would increase to $10 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2015, and would get another […]
January 22 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Minimum wage talks begin in Olympia … won't end there
In today’s column I write that the governor’s proposed minimum wage increase is intended as a key part of the 2014 campaign season. Austin Jenkins has more at the NW News Network, where he writes that Democrats may have a proposal out as early as this week. Republicans are countering with their own plans to […]
January 09 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
State Supreme Court says that, despite progress, Legislature still not meeting education funding targets
The state Supreme Court, in an order released today, faulted lawmakers for failing to make adequate progress on meeting the Court’s school funding mandate. (Justice Johnson is filing a dissent from the majority opinion.) The accompanying press release acknowledge legislative progress. The majority Order, signed by eight of the nine justices, acknowledges that “meaningful steps were […]