As legislators sign on to raise the minimum wage in Washington State, new poll shows remarkable supermajorities in support of $12.50 and even $15.00 an hour
National poll by Hart Research finds supermajority support across the country for raising wages to lift up workers, communities, and our whole economy
A momentous new national poll was released today showing extraordinary levels of support for raising the minimum wage to $12.50 and even $15/hour — on the same day as Rep. Jinkins, Rep. Farrell, Sen. Jayapal, and Sen. Habib called on their colleagues to make history by joining them to raise the minimum wage and establish a minimum standard for paid sick leave.
The new poll by Hart Research measured support for minimum wage increases to $12.50 and $15.00 an hour:
- $12.50 minimum wage: 75% of Americans support raising the minimum wage to $12.50 over the next 5 years, including a majority of Republicans.
- $15.00 minimum wage: 63% of Americans support raising the minimum wage to $15.00 over the next 5 years, including a majority of Americans living in states that voted for Mitt Romney in 2012.
(Full polling memo and toplines are available online.)
Since the first fast food strikes, bold leadership by workers in SeaTac, Seattle, Bellevue, Aberdeen, Kent, and across the country has transformed the public debate about poverty-wage jobs and our economy, solidifying a new consensus around the principle that everyone should be able to support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy.
Today, dozens of legislators from both chambers of the State Legislature signed on to make history by raising the minimum wage and setting minimum standards for paid sick days. With today's poll in mind, there's every reason for a supermajority of legislators to join them in support.
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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: 206-227-6014, sage@workingwa.org