Original photo: Rachel Samanyi

Two key measures to boost Washington’s economy and protect the economic security of millions of working families in Washington have passed the state House:

• State Minimum Wage Increase (HB 1355): Sponsored by Rep. Jessyn Farrell (D-Seattle); increases Washington’s minimum wage to $12 over four years.

• Paid Sick and Safe Leave (HB 1356): Sponsored by Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma); allows all workers in Washington to earn paid sick and safe leave to care for the health and safety needs of themselves and their families.

Members of the Washington Work and Family Coalition, which advocated strongly for both measures, issued the following statements:

“Together these two bills strengthen families and ensure that jobs boost rather than bust our state economy. These bills will improve public health and make family incomes more secure – especially for working women. That means children will do better in school, local businesses will benefit, and state revenues will increase,” said Marilyn P. Watkins, Ph.D., Policy Director at the Economic Opportunity Institute.

“We are one step closer to better economic security for women and families! This is an important victory, especially for women and people of color who are over-represented in low-wage industries and disproportionality impacted by the lack of paid sick days. We are excited for those we serve and our whole community,” said Liz Mills, Advocacy and Policy Director at the YWCA of Seattle and King and Snohomish Counties.

“We are thrilled the House of Representatives passed the Paid Sick and Safe Days law,” said Grace Huang, Public Policy Coordinator for the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Allowing domestic violence survivors to take time off of work to deal with the consequences of violence – without the fear of losing wages – leads to safer and healthier communities.”