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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

Minimum wage initiative makes November ballot

An initiative which gives voters the chance to raise the minimum wage in Washington to $13.50 by 2020 and require most companies to offer some sick leave will be on the November ballot. 

Initiative 1433 has enough valid signature to qualify for the ballot after a random check of petitions, the Secretary of State's office said Friday. 

Certification was expected after sponsors turned in petitions with nearly 100,000 signatures more than the minimum required. After the random check of more than 10,000 signatures, the state elections office said the rejection rate of 15 percent was slightly below the historic average and there was no need to check all signatures. 

Sponsors of initiatives on gun safety, protecting seniors and vulnerable people from financial crimes, and campaign finance reforms also submitted signatures that will be checked in the coming weeks. 



The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.