SB 2016-011: Pay Workers a Fair Wage Act (Failed)

[Prince of Salem]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

The amendment has enough votes to pass. Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Blair]

nay

[tmthforu94]

The amendment has passed.

Any more thoughts before moving to a final vote?

[Blair]

I motion to move to a final vote, whilst this isn't the bill I'd like to see it's a good improvement on the current situation, and the best one that can get passed by this chamber

[Potus]

Abolishing the tip credit is a disaster in waiting. It's painfully obvious how little real work this forum has done. The way the tipped minimum wage work isn't "here's your $3, good luck with the rest." Tips received credit up to the minimum wage. If there is a difference leftover, the employer is on the hook. They do not make less than minimum wage. You aren't raising anyone's wages by abolishong the tipped minimum wage. As a matter of fact, you're probably cutting people's wages because businesses are going to stop accepting tips.

Don't pass this law.

[tmthforu94]

Abolishing the tip credit is a disaster in waiting. It's painfully obvious how little real work this forum has done. The way the tipped minimum wage work isn't "here's your $3, good luck with the rest." Tips received credit up to the minimum wage. If there is a difference leftover, the employer is on the hook. They do not make less than minimum wage. You aren't raising anyone's wages by abolishong the tipped minimum wage. As a matter of fact, you're probably cutting people's wages because businesses are going to stop accepting tips.

Don't pass this law.

Thanks for pointing this out - so essentially, if a waiter only makes $5 an hour with tips, the business then has to make up the remaining $2.25?

[Potus]

Abolishing the tip credit is a disaster in waiting. It's painfully obvious how little real work this forum has done. The way the tipped minimum wage work isn't "here's your $3, good luck with the rest." Tips received credit up to the minimum wage. If there is a difference leftover, the employer is on the hook. They do not make less than minimum wage. You aren't raising anyone's wages by abolishong the tipped minimum wage. As a matter of fact, you're probably cutting people's wages because businesses are going to stop accepting tips.

Don't pass this law.

Thanks for pointing this out - so essentially, if a waiter only makes $5 an hour with tips, the business then has to make up the remaining $2.25?

Yes, the difference between the tipped minimum wage+tips and the minimum wage is paid by the employer.

[Blair]

Abolishing the tip credit is a disaster in waiting. It's painfully obvious how little real work this forum has done.

Don't pass this law.

I'm someone who works in the catering sector, and who also accepts tips...

http://www.nelp.org/publication/case-for-eliminating-tipped-minimum-wage-washington-dc/

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Remember the time I raised the minimum wage to $12 an hour or something? Good times.

[Prince of Salem]

Given the arguments made about tipped wages, I'd like to introduce this amendment to address the issue.

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[Blair]

Amendment is hostile- as I've said many times I'm concerned that there's very little debate on a bill that is central to how the economy is run for millions of low wage workers, and businesses across the land.

I've explained my views re the tipped minimum wage several times, and will outline just why the tipped minimum should be abolished- look what the report said... (using DC as a case study)

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[tmthforu94]

Question for Blair: do you think DC raising the minimum wage without an effect on tipping has to do with the fact that it is a very small portion of the country in population and geography? I have to wonder if we adopted it as a nationwide standard and more awareness was raised of their higher wages, people would begin tipping less and it'd turn into how tipping is viewed in Europe (from accounts I have received from others who have been there).

[Blair]

Question for Blair: do you think DC raising the minimum wage without an effect on tipping has to do with the fact that it is a very small portion of the country in population and geography? I have to wonder if we adopted it as a nationwide standard and more awareness was raised of their higher wages, people would begin tipping less and it'd turn into how tipping is viewed in Europe (from accounts I have received from others who have been there).

It doesn't appear that way- here are the states that have got rid of the tipped minimum wage. Sorry for the delay in getting back to this.

[tmthforu94]

JoMCar's amendment will now face a vote. 72 hours, please vote AYE, NAY or ABSTAIN.

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[Goldwater]

Abstain

[Blair]

Nay

[Pingvin]

Abstain

[tmthforu94]

Aye

[Blair]

I motion to suspend rules and the vote, and have a final vote on the unamended bill

[tmthforu94]

I motion to suspend rules and the vote, and have a final vote on the unamended bill

There is nothing clearly set in the rules for motions of suspension, so I think a majority in support of suspending is adequate (marking it on my list of clarifications to make in the rules going forward).

For clarification, are you asking for a final vote on the bill before JoMCar's proposed amendment?

[tmthforu94]

The 72 hour period has passed. With 1 AYE, 1 NAY, 2 ABSTAIN and 2 NOT VOTING (lol), this will be sent to the VP to cast the tiebreaker vote. I will notify him shortly.

[Lumine]

For the record, I'm a bit disappointed that I have to break a tie between what amounts to two definitive votes out of six Senators. I was leaning towards breaking the tie in favor of the amendment, but it is one Aye out of six possible votes and not even its sponsor showed up to vote on it.

So Nay on a matter of principle.

[Blair]

Only returned from travelling early today so just saw this- I'm glad that Lumine broke the tie in my favour.

Does anybody have any other issues with this bill?

[tmthforu94]

I plan to open a final vote tomorrow morning.