Early this week Rep. Kagi spoke at a rally for supported living workers. These workers provide crucial care and assistance to those living with developmental disabilities. Caregivers make it possible for those in the DD community to live on their own – cook, hold jobs, volunteer, and do basic things like getting dressed and grocery shop – all without living in a institutional setting. Caregivers give the DD community the respect, dignity and independence they deserve.
Caregivers do all this hard work, and they do it all for 43 cents above minimum wage. Their pay has been cut twice in the last four years. Rep. Kagi spoke to the workers saying, “I know you have sacrificed. Enough is enough. It is time your pay reflects the value of the work you do. It’s time you are treated as the professionals you are. It’s time you receive a fair wage.”