Under legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway, D-South Tacoma, the minimum wage would rise to $12 per hour over the course of four years. After that, the wage would again be tied to the consumer price index, as it has been since 1998.

“Families are struggling to make ends meet. In fact, full-time minimum wage employees in Washington still earn less than $20,000 per year,” said Conway.

“This is simply unsustainable,” added Conway. “Corporate profits are soaring and the economy is rebounding. We need to ensure that all citizens of our state share in the recovery of our economy.”