SeaTac living wage supporters fight to keep initiative on ballot

SEATAC, Wash. — Supporters of the Living Wage initiative in the city of SeaTac are confident it will be on the November ballot, despite yesterday's action by a King County Judge.

Judge Andrea Darvas threw the initiative off the ballot, saying supporters turned in too many invalid signatures for the initiative to be voted on in November.

The initiative would impose a $15 an hour minimum wage on the major transportation and hospitality businesses in SeaTac.
The Rev. Jan Bolerjack of Riverton Park United Methodist Church knows many of those workers.

"They're coming in because they can't pay their utility bill, they're being evicted or story after story that broke my heart," she said.

Now supporters are fighting in court to have new signatures added to their petition.

"We have 10 days to submit more signatures," said initiative spokeswoman Heather Weiner. "In fact, yesterday we submitted 250 voter signatures from the city of SeaTac to the city and we expect those to be counted and for the ballot to once again show Prop One in November," she said.

Opponents point out the initiative calls for a 63 percent hike in the current minimum wage of $9.19 an hour.

"It could have a potentially dire impact on a small business," said Scott Ostrander, general manager of Cedarbrook lodge.
Despite his opposition, Ostrander believes voters should get to decide the Living Wage Initiative. But he says voters should understand that only 2 percent of the people who would benefit actually live inside the city of SeaTac. 

Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.

KIRO