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In Private Meetings, Initiative 82’s Future Hangs in the Balance

July 8, 2025

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is pushing to repeal Initiative 82, a ballot measure that incrementally raises tipped worker minimum wages until they equal non-tipped wages in the District. Restaurant managers and owners claim the initiative is causing financial strain, forcing them to cut staff, raise prices, and implement service fees to meet wage requirements. During a roundtable at Shaw's Tavern, industry workers shared concerns about reduced hours and profits, while Initiative 82 supporters argue the measure ensures consistent pay regardless of customer traffic.

Who is affected

  • Tipped workers in D.C. restaurants and bars
  • Restaurant owners and operators in the District
  • Restaurant managers like Kyre Williams who make staffing decisions
  • Customers facing higher prices and service fees
  • Restaurant groups like D.C. Restaurant Group that have paused expansion
  • Neighboring jurisdictions that may gain business from D.C.

What action is being taken

  • Mayor Bowser is actively pushing for the repeal of Initiative 82 through the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Act
  • Restaurant owners are implementing service fees and mandatory gratuity to comply with the law
  • Restaurant operators are reducing staff hours and positions to manage costs
  • The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is advocating against Initiative 82
  • UNITE Here Local 25 is engaging council members to prevent the repeal
  • Initiative 82 supporters are protesting against the proposed repeal

Why it matters

  • Initiative 82 affects the economic viability of local restaurants in D.C.
  • Restaurant owners report they can no longer maintain profit margins
  • Some establishments may close or relocate outside D.C., with 44% of surveyed full-service casual dining establishments saying they might close in 2025
  • The measure impacts worker schedules, income, and job security
  • D.C.'s restaurant industry represents significant local employment and tax revenue
  • The issue raises questions about voter-approved initiatives versus legislative actions
  • The outcome could affect D.C.'s competitiveness with neighboring jurisdictions for both customers and workers

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article, though it is implied the D.C. Council will need to vote on Bowser's proposed repeal as part of the budget process.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

In Private Meetings, Initiative 82’s Future Hangs in the Balance