Washington State House Passes $12 Hourly Minimum Wage

Breaking news in the fight against wealth inequality, via Tacoma News Tribune reporter Melissa Santos:

$12 minimum wage bill passed 51-46 #waleg

— Melissa Santos (@MelissaSantos1) March 3, 2015

The debate in the state house included a screed from Republican Matt Menweller, last seen on Slog Manweller-splaining to workers who came to testify in favor of the wage hike:

Manweller, R-Ellensburg: "None of these arguments (for raising minimum wage) make intellectual sense. None of them." #waleg

— Melissa Santos (@MelissaSantos1) March 3, 2015

Matt Manweller is the most condescending motherfucker who has ever leached off taxpayers.

— Seattlish (@seattlish) March 3, 2015

Democratic representativ Chris Reykdal, who reportedly grew up in poverty himself (hat tip Seattlish), had this to say:

54% of minimum wage workers are full-time employees — this is not casual income. People are trying to raise families on minimum wage.

— Chris Reykdal (@chrisreykdal) March 3, 2015

80% of minimum wage earners have a high school diploma or college education. Not a teen wage anymore!

— Chris Reykdal (@chrisreykdal) March 3, 2015

Enjoy this news, for now. As Goldy points out, the bill is likely to die in the Republican-controlled state senate.