Policy advocacy organization, One Fair Wage — which started a movement to get a state constitutional amendment passed in Ohio that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and eliminate the tip credit — has failed to get enough signatures to get its proposal on the ballot this November.

The failed constitutional amendment would have raised the Ohio minimum wage to $12.75 an hour on Jan. 1, 2025, and then it would have gone up to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2026. The subminimum wage, also known as the tip credit, would have also been eliminated if the proposal had passed.

Tip credit is eliminated in Washington, D.C.; another state passes a $15 minimum wage

The tip credit is a hotly debated topic between labor advocates and business owners and allows the hospitality industry to pay tipped workers below the legally mandated state or federal minimum wage and make up for the rest of the paycheck with presumed gratuity. As of 2024, seven states have eliminated the tip credit: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Chicago and Washington, D.C. have also eliminated the subminimum wage for tipped workers. Other states have a more complex approach to the rule, with New York State eliminating the tip credit for some like car wash workers and nail technicians, but not for hospitality workers.

The tip credit is largely supported by the hospitality industry, while advocacy groups like One Fair Wage, have contested that the subminimum wage encourages sexual harassment, and is a “legacy of slavery.” The Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance saw the failure to get these wages on the ballot as “a victory for Ohioans and Ohio’s restaurant and hospitality community.”

Labor department sets limits on use of tip credit for server side work

“The voice of Ohio restaurant and hospitality professionals is crystal clear – ‘Don’t mess with our tips,’” John Barker, president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance, said in a statement. “Maintaining the tipped wage allows restaurant operators to avoid being forced to raise menu prices and eliminate positions, which keeps Ohio’s hospitality community vibrant for Ohio towns, villages, and neighborhoods and for guests visiting their favorite eateries.”

The industry organization noted that in a survey commissioned by the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance, 91% of tipped workers (among 990 servers, bartenders and other tipped staff) agree that the current tipping system works well for them and 85% believe in the ability to maximize tips through providing excellent customer service.

Although One Fair Wage failed to get this measure on the Ohio ballot this year, the organization could try for the 2025 election season instead, if they could enough signatures.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Days before he took part in his first NTT IndyCar Series race, Toby Sowery didn’t know what to expect from the experience. Signed for a single race with Dale Coyne Racing in the No. 51 Honda, the race-winning Indy NXT veteran hoped to have a clean run but couldn’t predict where he’d finish.

Starting 24th, the Briton made multiple passes in the opening laps, stuck to a two-stop strategy that most of the field used, and was rewarded with a strong performance to claim 13th, which ranks as the best of the season for DCR’s No. 51 entry.

“Super proud with that result,” Sowery told RACER. “To be honest, I didn’t know how we’d stack up in the race, just purely from a qualifying position standpoint. I knew it kind where we should have started. The Dale Coyne team made some really good steps with the car over the weekend, so I was excited for qualifying, and I think today proves that we’re competitive. Today has been a very, very good day.”

Sowery was the biggest mover of the race along with Santino Ferrucci as the two improved 11 positions across the 80-lap race. Given another chance to drive, Sowery is confident there’s a lot more for him to show next to DCR’s Jack Harvey, who dealt with an ailment on the way to placing 26th.

“There’s a lot of improvements on my end, and with the pit stops I can do,” he said. “Because I think if we were clean on them, we could have potentially been in front of Ferrucci who was 10th, but I’m really happy with the team. They’ve done a fantastic job all weekend. They’ve been super welcoming and helpful in guiding me. And you know, Jack’s been amazing as well. It’s a shame he’s had his neck problems this weekend.”

If there were any question before Mid-Ohio as to whether Sowery belongs in IndyCar, the answer was provided in the affirmative on Sunday.

“I had a good little ding-dong with (Romain) Grosjean before he slid off,” he said. “Had a good little battle with David (Malukas). The start it was, it was good on my end; we went forward. It was hectic at times, but I was calm. I’ve always felt like I could mix it up in this paddock, and I got to prove to myself that It’s not a wish, but a bit of more of reality. And fingers crossed everyone else sees it that way too.”

BENWOOD, W.Va. (WTRF) — A fire is out at a storage silo at the Ohio County Mine on 4th St. in Benwood.

Police Chief Frank Longwell says a patrolman discovered flames and smoke coming from the silo at around 10 pm Sunday.

The fire was put out within an hour and no injuries were reported.

Several agencies reported to the fire, including Wheeling, who brought a skyscraper fire ladder to reach the top of the 15-story-high silo.

The fire was determined to originate from a coal mine belt.

The facility is owned by the Ohio County Coal Company.