WATCH: Bryant Thinks Statewide Minimum Wage Would Be Too High

Seattle – Yesterday, in a disastrous election profile story on Q13, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Bryant stumbled and grumbled Republican talking points on major issues like transportation, education, the need to raise the minimum wage, and Donald Trump. 

On the minimum wage, Bryant continued his steadfast refusal to support I-1433, the initiative to raise the minimum wage and ensure paid sick leave for every worker. His repetition of Republican talking points is not surprising, considering Bryant’s years-long dismissal of the importance of raising wages for our state’s least-paid employees.

WATCH BRYANT OPPOSE RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE

Bryant Expressed Concern Over The Existence Of A Statewide Minimum Wage 

Auburn Reporter: “Bryant Is Concerned About A Statewide Minimum Wage Because The Economies Are So Different.” In June 2015, the Auburn Reporter reported, “On wages: Bryant is concerned about a statewide minimum wage because the economies are so different. ‘What’s appropriate in King County,’ is not elsewhere, he said.” [Auburn Reporter, 6/11/15]

Bryant Is Opposed To 2016 Initiative To Raise Minimum Wage & Provide Paid Sick Leave

Bryant Said The State Minimum Wage Should Not Be Raised. Appearing on John Carlson’s radio show in May 2015, asked if the state minimum wage should be raised, Bryant said, “Not across the state, John. The economies of Washington State are very different depending upon where you are. And to set a statewide minimum wage based on the cost of living in King County isn’t going to be relevant in Clark County or Cowlitz County or Pend Oreille.” [Bill Bryant, John Carlson’s Radio Show, 5/18/15]

Bryant Said He Opposes Initiative To Raise Statewide Minimum Wage. In May 2016, The Everett Herald reported, “[Bryant’s] not embraced a proposed initiative to increase the statewide minimum to $13.50 an hour in 2020. He has repeatedly said he is ‘uncomfortable’ with an across-the-state hike because of its potential burden on businesses in areas where the cost of living is not as high as King County.” [The Everett Herald, 5/18/16

As Port Commissioner, Bryant Opposed Raising Minimum Wage For Airport Workers

Bryant Opposed Raising Minimum Wage At Sea-Tac Airport. In March 2014, The Seattle Times reported, “It’s also clear the commissioners themselves disagree about whether wages should be raised across the board. Commissioner Bill Bryant, one of the more conservative members, said at the Feb. 11 meeting that he opposes it.” [The Seattle Times, 3/17/14]

Bryant: “I Will Not Support A One-Size-Fits-All Solution…” In March 2014, The Seattle Times reported, following the passage of Proposition 1 in SeaTac, Bryant said he opposed raising the minimum wage for airport workers to $15 an hour. “I will not support a one-size-fits-all solution that could undermine minority and women-owned businesses, or that could cause some people’s hours or benefits to be cut, or that could reduce opportunities for folks that are already struggling,” he said. [The Seattle Times, 3/17/14]

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