Progressives know best. Results be damned.
The Washington Policy Center reports the proposed $15 minimum wage within the confines of the city is already having a negative impact.
After decades in Seattle, Northwest Caster and Equipment recently made the difficult decision to move the business to unincorporated Lynnwood, according to a report by KOMO news. The owner of the family business blames Seattle’s increasingly difficult business climate for the move: “It just seems like increasingly the city’s become a more difficult place to do business.”
The city’s proposed $15 minimum wage was tops on his list of complaints. “If I’m going to bring someone in on an entry level, I’d prefer to start them out where I’d like to start them out, rather than having that dictated to me.”
A commercial property landlord echoes those concerns about the $15 minimum wage, noting several tenants have signaled they may not renew their leases if it becomes law: “It’s just too expensive to operate in the city.”
And in a story today, KUOW reports that small businesses throughout the city are panicking over the super high minimum wage. Multiple small business owners told KUOW they are holding off on opening new business or expanding their current business in Seattle, while others said they are delaying plans to hire new workers.
Of course, the progressives’ solution will be state or country-wide elevated minimum wages, so business owners can’t flee to survive.
WPC reports, “Jody Hall, owner of Cupcake Royale, initially supported a $15 minimum wage. But now Hall admits the proposed policy is, ‘keeping me up at night like nothing ever has.’”
Employee wages are meant to compensate someone for their work, based on their skill level and the sully of workers.
A politician-created minimum wage manipulates the market and while theoretically helps some, it penalizes others because the job pool shrinks.
Seattle’s proposed minimum wage isn’t even law yet and it’s already damaging the entry level job market. Be proud, progressives!
