The November election might be over, but the February 11th special election is coming fast, and there are two critical local measures on the ballot. One is TRU-endorsed Seattle Prop 1A to fund social housing. The other is in Burien, where voters will vote on raising the minimum wage. For the past two years TRU has been coordinating the Raise the Wage Burien coalition, which ran the citizen’s initiative that brought this measure to the ballot. Whether you live in Burien or elsewhere in King County or Washington State, the outcome of this vote matters for you, because what happens in Burien will set a precedent that other cities could follow.
Last year, a majority of the Burien city council passed a business-backed ordinance that pretends to raise the minimum wage but actually excludes most low-wage workers. Our Initiative Measure #1 will fix the problems with the City’s law. Check out this brand new analysis by the Economic Opportunity Institute, and The Urbanist’s endorsement of Initiative Measure 1.
Corporate opponents and some city officials are doing their best to confuse Burien voters. We have to set the record straight and win. If we fail, industry-backed elected officials in other cities may follow Burien’s lead and pass Swiss Cheese minimum wage laws (full of holes!) to prevent residents and workers from winning real ones.
Ballots will be mailed to Burien voters on January 22nd, and we need your help. Every dollar donated will help us reach two voters to counter the misinformation they’re hearing from the opposition. You can also join us knocking on doors, making phone calls, and writing letters to voters. Visit RaiseTheWageBurien.org to learn more.