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BOEE Accepts "Minimum Wage Act of 2016"

July 23, 2015
Yesterday the DC Board of Elections decided that the “Minimum Wage Act of 2016” is proper subject matter for a ballot initiative pursuant to the Initiative Procedures Act. We have been monitoring this issue closely, and worked with the larger business community to craft testimony for the BOEE hearing, which opposed the the initiative.   
 
Under the proposed ballot initiative, the minimum wage would gradually increase to $15 an hour by 2020. The ballot initiative would also increase the tipped minimum wage to $15 an hour by July 1, 2024. 
 
The approved language will be published in the DC Register, along with the legislative text. This begins a ten day challenge period during which any registered voter in DC has the right to file a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to allege the matter is not an appropriate subject for a ballot initiative. After the challenge period ends the board will approve the petition form for voter signature collection.
 
Next steps: RAMW has joined with other members of the business community to explore the   options in filing such a lawsuit. We have also been working with our national partners at the NRA on a public facing positivity campaign, which focuses on how the restaurant industry is truly the industry of opportunity and growth. To get involved and support the public facing campaign, which is critical in shifting the rhetoric around the tipped minimum wage; please fill out this brief survey or reach out to Eden (eden@ramw.org) directly. 
 
We will keep you updated on this matter as developments occur. To read the Board of Elections' decision click here. To read the initiative click here