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Seattle Mayor To Announce Plan For Raising Minimum Wage

caption: Demonstrators in Seattle formed a human chain around City Hall Wednesday in support of a $15 minimum wage.
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Demonstrators in Seattle formed a human chain around City Hall Wednesday in support of a $15 minimum wage.
KUOW Photo/Deborah Wang

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is expected to announce his proposal for a minimum wage increase Thursday afternoon after his advisory committee was unable to reach a consensus.

It will likely include some phase-in period and exceptions for small businesses and nonprofits.

Supporters of a $15 minimum wage are watching closely — some have vowed to take the issue to voters directly if they don’t get what they consider an acceptable package.

Demonstrators in Seattle formed a human chain around City Hall Wednesday to call for the city to raise the minimum wage to $15.

Murray announced during his election campaign last fall that he would support a $15 minimum wage.

After his election he put together the Income Inequality Advisory Group to make recommendations on how to achieve that. The committee consisted of representatives from businesses, labor groups and nonprofits.

It appeared they were unable to agree to a proposal after their final meeting Wednesday.

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