Connect with us

Washington, D.C

DC Council votes to pause tipped wage increase

Published

on

DC Council votes to pause tipped wage increase


The D.C. Council has voted to pause further implementation of Initiative 82 until October.

Back in 2022, nearly 74% of District voters cast their ballots to phase out the minimum wage for restaurant and hospitality workers whose wages also include tips.

Back then, it was about $5 per hour. The Initiative has increased it, in steps, $10.

The vote was eight to four to pause the next step of Initiative 82, which would raise the minimum tipped wage for service workers to $12 an hour.

Advertisement

At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie said pausing the July first increase allows the council to assess the Initiative’s impact on workers and businesses.

Some DC bars and restaurants have cited increased costs from Initiative 82 as reasons for closing.

In a statement, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington applauded the council vote, saying, “We also appreciate that many of the Councilmembers drew attention to the fact that DC’s economic conditions have changed drastically since Initiative 82 was on the ballot in 2022.”

The statement went on to say, “It’s our shared responsibility to consider the world as it is rather than as it was.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and Civic Association Presidents who gathered to discuss the District’s 2026 budget that she backs full repeal.

Advertisement

“Fast forward a couple of years and we’re seeing a very challenging environment for our restaurants, so I proposed to the council that I-82 be repealed,” she said.

Paul Schwalb, the president of Unite Here Local 2025 Labor Union, which represents 7,000 hospitality workers in the area, called the pause of Initiative 82 a betrayal of workers and the people who voted for it.

“We believe that the council’s position is outrageous and undemocratic,” he told News4. “We believe also on the merits of it, these workers need a raise, which is why the voters of D.C. twice gave them a raise, and we find it, again, inexplicable why the council decided to stall those raises.”

Back in 2018, D.C. voters approved a similar wage measure called Initiative 77. It was overturned by the Council before it went into effect.

Advertisement



Source link

Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: Chance of severe storms before cooler Monday

Published

on

Storm Team4 Forecast: Chance of severe storms before cooler Monday


4 things to know about the weather:

  1. Storms overnight, severe chance
  2. Cooler Monday
  3. Clouds to start, then sunshine tomorrow
  4. Cold next few mornings

After a very warm afternoon, there is a cold front that is approaching. The front will move through the area tonight, sparking showers and storms, then delivering colder air for the start of the new workweek.

There is a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for our counties to the far northwest, including Maryland counties Washington, Allegany and Garrett, and a portion of Morgan county in West Virginia. The watch is until 10 p.m. Sunday.

There is a chance for storms to be severe tonight, including the risk of damaging winds and hail. The risk decreases through the night as the storms move south and east with the front. The storms may be noisy tonight with thunder, heavy rain, and hail. Expect drier conditions after sunrise tomorrow.

Do not forget your jacket Monday. The cooler air behind the front keeps the area in the 50s all day. Lows will drop into the 30s Monday night.

Advertisement

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

QuickCast

TONIGHT:
Storms, severe possible
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Low: Mid 50s

MONDAY:
Showers before sunrise
AM clouds, afternoon sun
Wind: NNW 10-15 mph
Gusts @ 25 mph
High: Mid-Upper 50s

TUESDAY:
Mostly sunny
Wind: N light
High: Low 50s

WEDNESDAY:
Sun & Clouds
Wind: SW 5-10 mph
High: Lower 60s

SUNRISE: 7:06 AM          SUNSET: 7:22 PM
AVERAGE HIGH: 58         AVERAGE LOW: 40

Advertisement

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.



Source link

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C

DC weather: Taste of summer turns to storms Sunday night into Monday morning

Published

on

DC weather: Taste of summer turns to storms Sunday night into Monday morning


Forecasters are calling for a near-perfect spring setup on Sunday, with plenty of sunshine, blooming cherry blossoms, and temperatures soaring into the low to mid-80s across much of the region.

However, the warm, quiet weather won’t last long.

Advertisement

By the numbers:

After a cool start in the upper 40s and low 50s, temperatures are rising quickly under sunny skies. Many areas are expected to climb into the 80s this afternoon, with some spots pushing the mid to upper 80s.

It’s a brief but welcome preview of summer, and conditions couldn’t be better for getting outside.

Advertisement

With cherry blossoms nearing peak bloom, it’s an ideal day to head to the Tidal Basin, take a walk, or spend time outdoors with family and friends.

What we know:

Advertisement

A strong cold front moving in from Pennsylvania will bring increasing clouds later on Sunday, followed by a chance for showers and thunderstorms late Sunday night into early Monday.

Some storms could produce damaging winds or even small hail, especially to the north.

By Monday, the cold front pushes through, bringing a noticeable change.

Advertisement

  • Gusty winds up to 30+ mph develop in the afternoon
  • Temperatures fall back to more typical early spring levels
  • Morning showers taper off, with improving conditions later in the day

What’s next:

Looking ahead, the pattern stays active.

Advertisement

After a brief warm-up into the 60s midweek, another strong cold front is expected Thursday into Friday, bringing the next chance for unsettled weather.

The Source: Information from this article was provided by the FOX 5 Weather Team.

Washington, D.C.Weather
Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C

Military deployment in D.C. could get extended until end or President Trump’s term

Published

on

Military deployment in D.C. could get extended until end or President Trump’s term


The District is reacting to the Pentagon’s alleged plan to keep National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C. until 2029, the end of President Trump’s term, and his mission to make D.C. safe and beautiful.

At least 2,500 National Guard members have patrolled D.C. streets since last August.

ALSO READ | Judge rules National Guard deployment into DC was illegal; ruling faces appeal

Their deployment was initially scheduled to end in 2025. Then it was extended until the end of 2026. But now this could be home base for another three years.

Advertisement

Two U.S. officials told ABC News that the agency is planning to maintain a presence in the city through early 2029.

“We don’t need to have theater on our streets,” said Tropper Sanders, who has lived in the District for nearly 30 years.

The president first deployed the National Guard last summer, even as the District was already seeing historically low crime rates.

“There are crime and safety issues, but that should be handled with law enforcement and government,” said Sanders. “I think at a time when we are at war, we are expecting so much of our service members. We should not use their time in ways that are not essential.”

Some residents and city leaders said the military has helped clean up the city, but not with crime. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he does not see the point of keeping the National Guard in D.C.

Advertisement

“I know that the President said it was all about law and order,” he said. “The National Guard does not do law enforcement. What I see is them walking around, during the snow, creating a path they were very good at, shoveling snow.”

Residents like Shanti Israni told 7News their presence is noticeable.

“They open people’s doors,” said Israni. “If there are people who need help with groceries, they’ve helped the people with groceries. They’re helping. But also, my hope is that people in the community can also fill that role.”

Mendelson said the deployment is costing taxpayers significantly.

“It could be $1.6 million a day,” said Mendelson. “That’s like between almost $400 million and $600 million a year. I don’t get the point.”

Advertisement

If they are ordered to stay, community members told 7News they want the city to put the services to good use.

“The mayor or the next mayor should really look at where the true hotspots or issues are where we can make the most of these servicemembers’ time,” said Tropper. “That does not necessarily have to be about crime. There are a lot of things that we can deploy these talented people to deal with. If we have to do this, then let’s at least figure out how the District can be so much better in 2029.”

“I also realize that the people making these decisions probably know a lot that we don’t,” said Israni. “If our country’s at war, I wonder if risks in D.C. will increase. If D.C. will become more of a target, maybe in that way it might be helpful to have people, but, if again, if the mission is keeping D.C. safe and beautiful, D.C.’s saving people already.”

A Pentagon spokesperson told ABC News, “The Department of War is committed to supporting the president’s mission to address the epidemic of crime in the nation’s capital. There are no announcements to make at this time.”

The District has been pushing back on the president’s deployment, with expectations of continuing to do so.

Advertisement

SEE ALSO | Legal questions grow over National Guard’s long-term presence in DC

“There’s pending litigation now,” said Mendelson. “The attorney general won preliminarily, and then it went up to the court of appeals, where there was a stay. It’s all pending. There’s further legal argument.”

Officials told ABC News the deployment plan was finalized last year and is awaiting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s signature.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending