"Raise the Wage Burien" Falls Short - Progressives Ramp up Efforts with Seattle Socialists

On August 30, 2024, promoters of the "Raise the Wage Burien" (RTWB) initiative were notified by the City of Burien Clerk's Office that they were short of signatures needed to add the initiative to the February 2025 ballot. On top of that, the notice stated, "Burien believes there are other defects in the petition."

Non-Burien Progressive RTWB activist groups, who have already gathered and spent nearly $80,000 on this initiative (PDC.wa.gov), now have a new deadline of September 9, to "amend their petition." They will need to gather another 867 Burien-voter signatures in less than 10 days.

Socialists host a Burien "extravaganza solidarity canvass"

Seattle Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are here in Burien this Labor Day Weekend for an "extravaganza solidarity canvass with Transit Riders Union" to bolster the RTWB cause, "to help RTWB get over the finish line!"

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Only SIX Burien voters donated to this Initiative

As we included in earlier articles on the Raise the Wage efforts, the money ($78,883.09) and support are not coming from Burien grassroots efforts, as promoters like to claim. As of 8/31/24, only six people living in Burien have donated $1,150 (less than 2% of the money) to this cause.

Nearly $80K in "Outside of Burien" Progressive Money

The balance of the $78,993.09 comes from Outside-of-Burien, including Washington DC, Massachusetts, and Progressive and Socialist Action groups all around the Puget Sound. The Transit Riders Union is funded and supported by non-Burien money.

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Read Burien.News articles for additional details:

www.burien.news/blog/raise-the-wage-initiative-intends-to-override-burien-s-new-minimum-wage-ordinance-with-claims-of-grassroots-efforts

www.burien.news/blog/petitioners-pester-burien-residents-to-raise-the-wage

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King County and Burien say "Insufficient" Signatures

On August 30, 2024, the Burien City Clerk's Office sent this email to Katie Wilson of the Transit Riders Union:

This correspondence confirms that your initiative petition regarding minimum wages in Burien is legally insufficient because it lacks the required number of valid signatures.

King County Elections has informed the City of Burien that of the 6,135 signatures submitted, only 3,553 were valid. The King County Elections letter of insufficiency, dated August 30, 2024, is attached.

Additionally, Burien believes there are other defects in the petition.

Pursuant to RCW 35.17.280, you may submit an amended petition no later than September 9, 2024.

Sincerely,

Kathy Wetherbee, Administrative Assistant
on behalf of Heather Dumlao, City Clerk

[LINK here to read full correspondence from KC Elections and City of Burien Clerk]

RTWB Threatens Burien's New Minimum Wage Law

Also, the City of Burien already passed a new Minimum Wage Ordinance (BMC 5.15) set to go into effect on January 1, 2025. The law was carefully crafted through engagement with Burien workers, businesses, and labor unions. This RTWB initiative threatens Burien's new law by tying the minimum wage to the City of Tukwila.

Here is the statement from the City of Burien on August 12, 2024.

Conclusion

Control of Burien is critical to control of the Puget Sound Region, which means Burien Voters get to choose. Will Burien Voters trust Outside-of-Burien socialist and progressive hammer... or will they trust their elected officials work in conjunction with the community to carefully navigate the Business of Burien?

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