OLYMPIA—State Rep. Mark Miloscia wants the state minimum wage to be a living wage that that enables all full-time employees to support themselves and their families with dignity.
“This bill will ensure prosperity for all,” said Miloscia (D-Federal Way).
On Friday, Miloscia told the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee that Washington has proved that raising the minimum wage is good for businesses and the economy.
Miloscia noted that between 1999 and today Washington raised its minimum wage from one of the lowest to $8.67—the highest in the nation—and during that period saw dramatic improvements on virtually every economic measure.
“Our domestic product grew, personal incomes grew, business vitality grew, and more people came to Washington to share our way of life,” said Miloscia.
Miloscia’s bill would add three percent to the minimum wage following every year that per capita personal income in Washington grows and is greater than the national average. This is an addition to the inflation adjustments to the minimum wage that are required by current law.
Witnesses said Miloscia’s bill will not only improve the economy, but also reduce the need for government subsidies of low-income families.
“What we should be aiming for in this state is not just a minimum wage, but a living wage,” said Lonnie Johns-Brown, who spoke on behalf of the National Organization of Women and is co-chair of the Welfare Advocates group. “This bill is really a concept whose time has come.”
Johns-Brown noted that most people in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program actually work, but don’t make enough from their jobs to escape welfare. She added that many people are forced to rely on TANF, subsidized child-care, the Basic Health plan or other subsidized assistance because their jobs don’t pay a living wage.
“This is a strategy that can help the state be solvent,” agreed Teresa Mosqueda, the Legislative and Policy Director for the Washington State Labor Council, which strongly supports the bill.
Maralyn Watkins, Policy Director Economic Opportunity Institute, joined those supporting the Miloscia living-wage plan.
“We should, in fact, be ratcheting up the minimum wage,” Watkins said.
Watkins said recent studies refute the myth that increasing the minimum wage leads to significant job losses.
“There is no negative impact on jobs from raising the minimum wage,” Watkins said. “But there were increases in family income.”