WASHINGTON, D.C. — Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, D-Ward 1, delivered the following remarks ahead of a vote on a compromise measure on I-82, the tipped minimum wage, as part of the Council’s budget deliberations.

I could debate the merits of various provisions and the impact – positive or negative – I think they will have.

But this is the problem: the voters told us what they wanted when they voted overwhelmingly for I-82. Twice. 

And this is not it.

When the Council agreed to implement this I-82 ballot initiative, we agreed to following the implementation schedule voters approved in 2023.

Restaurant workers, and the organizations that represent them, have been fighting this battle for wage protections for years. They shouldn’t have to keep fighting it.

And this Council should not keep on telling the voters they don’t know what’s best for them. 

I understand the challenges that restaurants face and I am very sympathetic to them.

But a compromise that tears away at the foundational elements of I-82 is still a slap in the face to restaurant workers and voters.

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