-
Tip credit elimination in Connecticut would do more harm than good
December 2023 · Annie Nguyen · The Hartford Courant
Earlier this year, SB 1177, which would have eliminated the tipped minimum wage, was tabled by the state Senate after hearing concerns from local businesses and employees. Now, labor committee co-chair Sen. Julie Kushner has announced plans to reintroduce the plan again in January – despite its proven track record of consequences elsewhere across the country. As a former Windsor, Connecticut resident, my family still operates two restaurants in the… -
Bid to end tip credit puts jobs at risk
November 2023 · Rebekah Paxton · Boston Herald
In the eleventh hour, Massachusetts lawmakers are considering bills to eliminate the state’s tip credit and add on a minimum wage increase up to $20 per hour. Such an unprecedented move will worsen economic hurdles facing restaurants and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of employees. As part of a so-called “grand bargain” signed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2018, Massachusetts has already seen a hike in the… -
Letter: Evanston got it right with tipped minimum wage decision
October 2023 · Rebekah Paxton · Daily Herald
Last week, Chicago and neighboring Evanston made newsworthy decisions on the tipped minimum wage. Only one city got it right on behalf of tipped workers: Evanston city council decided to maintain the city’s tip credit in their consideration of future minimum wage hikes. The tip credit system allows restaurants with razor-thin profit margins to stay in business while providing tipped job opportunities. Workers are guaranteed to make… -
Shapiro’s misguided push for $15 minimum wage won’t work for Pennsylvania
October 2023 · Rebekah Paxton · The Center Square - Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s small businesses employ over 2.5 million people throughout the Commonwealth. But if Governor Shapiro has his way, thousands of these jobs could soon be under threat. Earlier this year, the state legislature attempted to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and the wage for tipped employees to $9 per hour. Now, Gov. Josh Shapiro and state legislators are reigniting the conversation, pushing for an unprecedented 107 percent minimum wage… -
The Unintended Consequences of Removing Tipped Minimum Wage in Montgomery County
September 2023 · Rebekah Paxton · The Center Square - Maryland
Earlier last week, the Montgomery County Council introduced legislation that would eliminate the use of the tip credit and raise the minimum wage for tipped restaurant employees by more than 300 percent. While the idea of boosting hourly wages seems well-intentioned, the Council’s plan could backfire spectacularly. Indeed, it’s already been disastrous in neighboring Washington, D.C. For starters, the push to eliminate the tip credit misunderstands how tipped workers… -
I’m a tipped server. Mayor Johnson’s restaurant minimum wage plan could ruin my livelihood.
September 2023 · Destiny Fox & Michael Saltsman · Chicago Sun Times
I’ve been in the restaurant industry since I was born. That’s only a slight exaggeration. My mom worked in the service industry for much of my childhood and provided a good living for us doing so. I chose to follow in her footsteps. Today, my tipped earnings don’t just allow me to survive — they allow me to thrive. Recently, I even moved downtown, thanks to the…