Can you imagine being a single parent with no chance for a degree, but a baby boy you dearly love? Amanda worked for minimum wage at Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's - but on wages like that, even with Medicaid and food stamps, she can't afford the increasing cost of child care. She's worried about her son's education.
Washington State has the highest minimum wage in the U.S. - yet at $9.47, even the top state in the country pays less than it did in the 1960s, when the national minimum wage was $10.52 after inflation. And if the minimum wage had kept pace with the 1%, it would be $22.62.
It's astonishing, and a little sickening: Even the best minimum wage in the country doesn't touch the reality of economic growth, production increases, or inflation - and it's falling behind. Numerous states will pass Washington in 2016.
If you speak out today for an increase in Washington's minimum wage, you'll be adding your force to a powerful movement with strong momentum. Will your signature be the one that pushes this effort over the edge to success?
In 2015, Seattle, voted to increase its minimum wage to $15. And now even the Washington Restaurant Association - typically an opponent - has said it will support an increase. This is the moment to raise our voices, capitalize on the momentum, and help struggling workers all across the northwest!
Tell Governor Inslee and the state legislature today: Raise the minimum wage to $15/hr!
I support a statewide increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour! Help hard workers and single parents across the state, raise the wage now, and index it to inflation so that future workers don't fall behind again!
