Panel Studies Wage Plans One Proposal Ties Increase To Education

A Senate panel Tuesday took up three proposals aimed at boosting the state’s minimum wage, including one offering wage increases only to workers with a high school education or better.

“Adults are constantly pontificating to young people about the need to finish high school, but I think it’s time for us to put our money where our mouths are,” said Sen. Dwight Pelz.

The Seattle Democrat is sponsoring SB6612, which would raise the state’s minimum wage of $4.90 an hour by 50 cents for workers who have completed high school.

But opposition by the Republican-led House spells almost certain doom for any minimum wage increase. Rep. Barb Lisk, R-Zillah, chairwoman of the House Republican caucus, called the proposals “election-year rhetoric” and doubted any of the measures would get a hearing.

During a hearing Tuesday, the Senate Labor, Commerce and Trade Committee also considered Gov. Mike Lowry’s request to raise the minimum wage to $5.30 an hour next year. A third proposal would increase it to $6.90 by 2000 and tie future adjustments to changes in the Consumer Price Index.

The bills drew support from labor leaders and advocates for the poor, but business owners said raising the minimum wage would only undercut Washington’s competitiveness and force layoffs.

Chris Grady, owner of Grady’s restaurant in Seattle, estimated that one of the proposals would cost him $50,000 over the next three years in higher wages for his 19 employees.

Boosting wages could reduce the number of entry-level jobs, said Brent Price, manager of Mitzel’s American Kitchen in Lacey.

“It seems like we’re penalizing the people that we’re trying to help,” Price said.

Many states hover around the federal minimum wage of $4.25 an hour.

Clif Finch, a lobbyist for the Association of Washington Business, said Washington’s minimum wage already is the third highest in the nation. Raising it would only make it harder for Washington companies to compete, he said.