News and perspective on public policy issues affecting Washington's economy and quality of life, brought to you by the Economic Opportunity Institute.
Despite vocal opposition from local unions and community groups, a new Wal-Mart shopping center opened in Bellevue’s Kelsey Square this June, reigniting debate over the big box retailer’s presence and pushing residents to reconsider the question: who wins and who loses when Wal-Mart comes to town? According to a report released by Puget Sound Sage, […]
From the Everett Herald: By Christine L. Owens and Marilyn Watkins In 1998, an overwhelming two-thirds of Washington voters supported a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and adjust it upward each year to keep pace with the rising cost of living. As a result, there’s a bright spot on the horizon for Washington’s […]
On January 1st, Washington’s minimum wage will increase by 37 cents to $9.04 per hour, in line with a voter-approved law that provides for raising the minimum wage as the cost-of-living goes up. That bump – making Washington’s the best state minimum wage in the nation – will help increase consumer spending at local businesses […]
What would you do if your employer didn’t pay you for your time on the job? Or failed to compensate you for overtime? Or paid you less than the minimum wage? These types of wage violations actually aren’t that uncommon. Casa Latina, a Seattle non-profit that has been battling wage theft for over ten years, […]
