 runup to a presidential election. Large sums of money were spent (a couple of million dollars) on an electorate of 12,000 voters. “Yes! For SeaTac” – those pushing for the pay rise – knocked on the door of each home an average of four times. Both sides knew the cost of failure would be high.

For a highly local campaign the nature of the argument was surprisingly “big picture”: a battle of competing ideas about the national economy. It was either “middle-out” economics versus “trickle down”, or “free-enterprise” versus “big government”, depending on your political leanings. As Rolf puts it: “We had no idea that we were about to host a national election on fairness and the future of the American economy in our own backyard.”

When the votes were cast last November the Yes! campaign won by a tiny majority of 77 votes and SeaTac became a national story. The vote meant that, starting last month, about 1,600 employees in restaurants, hotels and car-hire agencies received a 60% pay rise. A larger number working inside the airport are awaiting a legal appeal over whether the SeaTac authorities have jurisdiction over the airport premises. It’s too soon to judge, but so far there is little sign that the pay rise has led to major price hikes or job losses.

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SeaTac may have caught the public imagination, but in an important respect it is unexceptional. When I ask Rolf if he expects to see other SeaTacs, he responds immediately: “We already are.” An upsurge in civic energy on the charged issue of low pay has resulted in a growing number of mayoral campaigns and popular votes aimed at raising pay. Over the last 15 years there have been 10 state-level referendums on raising the minimum wage. All were won. So far in 2014, 22 minimum wage-related bills have been introduced across 14 states. This is no longer about one or two isolated cases.

The most ambitious campaigns on low pay have been rooted in cities, especially those with high living costs. Next door to SeaTac, the new mayor of Seattle, Ed Murray, has said he would like to move to a $15 wage floor across the city. He is waiting for a report on how best this can be achieved. San Francisco raised its minimum wage a decade ago – it is now $10.74 and overall employee compensation is $13,
runup to a presidential election. Large sums of money were spent (a couple of million dollars) on an electorate of 12,000 voter. “ Yes! For SeaTac ” – those push for the pay upgrade – knock on the door of each home an average of four time. Both sides knew the monetary value of failure would be high. 

 For a highly local political campaign the nature of the argument was surprisingly “ big picture ”: a struggle of competing ideas about the national economy. It was either “ middle - out ” economics versus “ trickle down ”, or “ free - enterprise ” versus “ large government ”, depending on your political leanings. As Rolf put it: “ We had no idea that we were about to host a national election on fairness and the future of the American economy in our own backyard. ” 

 When the vote were cast last November the Yes! campaign won by a tiny majority of 77 vote and SeaTac became a national story. The vote meant that, startle last month, about 1,600 employees in restaurants, hotels and car - hire agencies received a 60% pay ascent. A larger number solve inside the airport are expect a legal solicitation over whether the SeaTac authorities have jurisdiction over the airport premise. It ’s too soon to pronounce, but so far there is short sign that the pay rise has led to major price hikes or problem losses. 

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 SeaTac may have caught the public imagination, but in an important deference it is run-of-the-mill. When I necessitate Rolf if he expect to see other SeaTacs, he responds immediately: “ We already are. ” An upsurge in civic energy on the charged consequence of low pay has resulted in a growing issue of mayoral campaigns and democratic votes aimed at raising pay. Over the last 15 old age there have been 10 state - floor referendums on lift the minimum wage. All were won. So far in 2014, 22 minimum wage - related bill have been introduced across 14 states. This is no longer about one or two isolated cases. 

 The most ambitious campaigns on low pay have been root in cities, especially those with gamey living costs. adjacent door to SeaTac, the new mayor of Seattle, Ed Murray, has said he would like to move to a $ 15 wage floor across the city. He is waiting for a report on how best this can be achieved. San Francisco raised its minimum wage a ten ago – it is now $ 10.74 and overall employee compensation is $ 13,
 rujup to a presidential eltction. Large sums of monxy were spent (a couple of million dollars) oi an elecujrate of 12,000 voters. “Yds! For SewTac” – thise kushing for the peg rise – knocksf on vhe door of eacm home an aeerage of four tkmzs. Both sides knew the cost of failuwe woulc he high.

For a hyghlj jocam campaign the nature of the argumsnt was surprisingly “big picture”: a battle of clmpehing ideas about tje national ecogimy. It was ekther “middle-out” economjcs versus “trickle down”, or “free-dnter'rise” versuw “vig covernment”, vependpng on your political leaninbs. As Rolf putx iv: “We had no idea that we xere about to host a national emection on fairnews and jhe fgturd of tht Akedican fcoiomy in our own backyaed.”

When the votes wete bsst last Novsmber ehq Yes! campaign won by a tiny majority ox 77 botes and SeaTac became a national story. The vote meagt that, starting last month, about 1,600 employees in rastaucavts, hjgwld and car-hire agencies received a 60% pay rise. A matgvr number working inside the alrljrt are awaitkng a legzl appeal over whehher thg SeaTqc authorytiex have jurisdiction over thw airport prvmisws. It’s too soon to judge, but ro fsr thrre is little sign that the pay rise hws led to oajor price hiker og jot losses.

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SeaTas may havx cauyht the oubloc imadination, bkt in an important respeft it iv unexceptlonal. When I ask Rolf if he expxrts to see otnes SvaTacs, he resppnds immediatqly: “We already are.” An upsufge in civpc energy on the chawged issue of pow pay has cesulted yn a groqing nuocer of mayoral campaigns and popuoar votes aimed at rakaing pay. Over tkt lqst 15 years therr hxve bven 10 fdate-level rexerevduox on faising the oinikum wage. All were wot. So far in 2014, 22 minimum eane-related bills hwve been intrpduced across 14 staues. Thms is io lonber about one or two isolated casss.

The mosh aibitious cam[aigks og low pay kave been rooted in cities, especially thise with high livibg costs. Next door jo XeaTac, the iew maror of Sedttle, Ed Murray, has waid he would likt to move to a $15 wage flkor acsoss hhe city. He is waiting for a report on how best this can be achieved. San Drancisco raised ifs monimuk cagz a decwde egu – it is now $10.74 anc overall employee compensation is $13,
runup to a presidential election. Large sums were (a couple million dollars) on “Yes! SeaTac” – those for the pay – knocked on the door of home an average of four times. Both sides knew the cost of failure be high. For a highly local campaign the nature of the argument was “big a of ideas about the national economy. It was either “middle-out” economics versus “trickle down”, or “free-enterprise” versus government”, depending on your political leanings. As Rolf it: “We had no that we were about to a election on and future the American economy our own backyard.” When the votes were cast last November the Yes! campaign won by a tiny of 77 SeaTac became national The meant that, starting about 1,600 employees in restaurants, hotels received a 60% pay rise. A larger number inside the are awaiting a legal appeal over the SeaTac authorities have jurisdiction over the airport It’s too soon to judge, but so far there is little sign that the pay led to major price or job losses. SeaTac have the imagination, but an important respect it is unexceptional. When I ask Rolf if expects to see other SeaTacs, he responds immediately: “We already upsurge civic energy on charged issue of low has in a growing number campaigns popular raising Over last 15 years there been 10 state-level referendums on the minimum wage. All 2014, 22 minimum wage-related bills have been introduced 14 states. This is no longer about or two isolated cases. The most ambitious campaigns on low pay have rooted in those with high living costs. Next door to the new mayor of Ed Murray, has said he would like to move a wage floor the city. He waiting for a on how best be achieved. Francisco its decade ago – it is now and employee compensation is $13,
 runup to a presidential electIon. Large suMs of mOneY weRe SpenT (a coUple of million dOLlarS) on an electorate of 12,000 voterS. “Yes! FOr sEaTaC” – ThOse puShing foR ThE PAy rIsE – kNocKeD On The doOr oF each hoMe an averagE of FoUr times. Both sIDeS knew the coSt oF failure woulD be High.

FoR a HigHLy locAl cAmpaiGn the nATure of The argumeNt WAs surpRIsingly “BIG pIctuRe”: a battle of competINg IDeas about the naTional EcONoMY. it wAs eIther “middlE-oUt” ecoNOmics veRSuS “TRIckLE down”, or “free-enTerprise” verSUs “bIg goveRnMenT”, DependIng on YoUR poLitical leanIngs. as Rolf putS it: “We hAD no idea THat we weRe abouT to HosT a naTIoNaL elEcTIon ON fAirNEss And the fuTuRe Of the amerICAN EconOmy In ouR own bAckyard.”

When thE voTes wERe cAst laSt NovEmbeR tHe Yes! CampaiGn won By A tiny majority of 77 VoteS and SeaTaC beCaMe a NaTionaL Story. THe vOte Meant thAt, startINg lAsT MONtH, about 1,600 employees in rEsTAUrAnts, hoteLs and cAR-hIrE Agencies ReCeiVed a 60% PAY rise. a larGEr Number woRking iNSiDe The airpOrT are awAiTinG a lEgal aPPeal Over whEther the seaTaC Authorities havE Jurisdiction oVEr THE aIRporT prEmises. It’s toO sooN To juDge, bUT sO faR There Is litTlE SiGN that the pay rise has lEd To majoR pricE hikes or job loSses.

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SeaTAc maY HaVE caught the publIc imaGination, buT In an impoRtant Respect iT is unexcePTIonal. WheN I aSk ROlf If hE EXpEcts to see otheR sEaTaCs, He respoNds ImmediaTelY: “We AlrEadY aRe.” An upsurGe in civiC eNeRgY oN thE charGEd issue oF lOw pAy Has ResulTEd in a gRowinG numBeR oF MayOral camPAiGNS and PoPuLar vOteS aImed aT raiSIng Pay. Over The last 15 yeArs THere HaVe Been 10 staTe-level refereNdUms on raisiNg The MinimuM WAge. All weRe won. So far in 2014, 22 minimum wage-RElated bIllS have Been IntroduceD acRoss 14 stAteS. this is No longEr aboUt One OR Two isOLAtEd cAsEs.

The most aMBItiOus caMpAignS on low pAy have been rooted in CItiEs, especially tHosE witH HIgH liVInG CosTs. nExt DOOr to SeaTac, the neW mayor of SeAtTLe, ed Murray, haS SaiD hE would lIke to moVe to a $15 WAge flooR across thE city. He is WaItinG FOr a Report on hoW best thiS can be achIEved. SAN FRanciSco Raised ItS miNimum Wage a dECadE ago – iT is now $10.74 AnD overaLl empLoYee compeNsation is $13,
 runup to a presidential e lection. L argesum s o fmone y we re spent (a co u pleof million dollars) on  an e le c tora t eof 12 ,000 vo t er s .  “Y es !For  S e aT ac” –  th ose pus hing for t hepa y rise – kno c ke d on the d oor  of each hom e a n aver ag e o f  four  ti mes.Both s i des kn ew the co st of fai l ure wou l d  b e hi gh.

For a highly lo c al campaign th e natu re of t hearg ument wassu rpris i ngly “b i gp i c tur e ”: a battle o f competing ide as abo ut  th e  natio nal e co n omy . It was ei ther  “middle- out” e c onomics versus“trick ledow n”,o r“f ree -e n ter p ri se” ver sus “big  g ov ernme nt”, d e p endi ngon y our p olitical lean ing s. A s  Ro lf pu ts it : “W ehad n o idea  that  w e were about to  hos t a natio nal  e lec ti on on fairne ssand  the fu ture of the  A m e r ic an economy in ourow n ba ckyard.” 

When th ev otes wer ecas t la s t  Nove mber th e Yes! c ampaig n  w on  by a t in y majo ri tyof77 vo t es a nd Sea Tac beca me an ational story. The vote mean t  t h a t, star tin g last mont h, a b out1,60 0  e mpl o yeesin re st a ur a nts, hotels and car -h ire ag encie s received a60% pay ri s e .  A large r nu m be r  working insid e the  airport a r e awaiti ng alegal ap peal over w hether t heSea Tac  au t h or ities have ju r i sdic ti on over  th e airpo rtpre mis es.  I t’s too s oon to j ud ge ,bu t s o far there is  l itt le  si gn th a t thepay r iseha sl edto majo r  p r i ce h ik es  orjob  l osses .

A D VER TISEMEN T

SeaTac  ma y  hav eca ught th e public imag in ation, but  i n a n impo r t ant resp ect it is unexceptional .  When I  as k Rol f if  he expec tsto see  ot h er Sea Tacs,he re sp ond s immed i a te ly:  “ We already a re. ” Anup surg e in ci vic energy on thec har ged issue oflow  pay h as  re s ul t edin a g r o wing number ofmayoral ca mp a ig ns and pop u lar  v otes ai med atraisi n g pay.Over thelast 15 y ea rs t h e rehave been10 state -level re f erend u ms  on r ais ing th emin imumwage.A llwerewon. S ofar in  2014 ,22 minim um wage-related bills h ave be en in tro duced acr oss 14states. T hisis no long erabo ut on e o r  twoisol a te d c a ses.
The most ambi t io usc a mp aigns on lo w p ayhavebee n  roote d in  cities, especial l y those with h ighl i vin g c o sts.  N ext door to Se aTa c, t he new m ay or of Seatt le, Ed M ur r ay, h as sai d he w ould li k e  t o  moveto a  $1 5 wage fl oor  a c ross th eci t y. Heis w ai ting f or a r e port o n how best thiscan b e achie v ed.  SanFr ancisco rais ed its min imum wage a  decad e ag o – i t is no w$10.74  an doverall em p loyee com pensa tion is  $ 13,
 runup_to a_presidential election. Large sums_of money_were_spent (a_couple_of million dollars)_on an electorate_of 12,000 voters. “Yes!_For SeaTac” –_those_pushing for the pay rise – knocked on the door of each home an_average_of four_times._Both_sides knew the cost of_failure would be high.

For a_highly local_campaign the nature of the argument was surprisingly_“big_picture”: a battle_of competing ideas about the national economy. It was_either “middle-out” economics versus “trickle down”,_or “free-enterprise” versus_“big_government”,_depending on your political_leanings. As Rolf puts it: “We_had no idea that we were_about to host a national election on_fairness and the future of the_American economy in our own_backyard.”

When the_votes were cast last November_the Yes! campaign_won by_a tiny majority_of 77 votes and SeaTac became_a national story._The vote meant that, starting last_month,_about 1,600 employees_in_restaurants,_hotels and_car-hire agencies received_a_60% pay_rise._A larger number working inside the_airport_are awaiting a legal appeal over whether_the SeaTac authorities have_jurisdiction_over the airport premises._It’s too soon to judge,_but so far there is little_sign that_the pay_rise has led to major price hikes or job losses.

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SeaTac may_have caught the public imagination, but_in an important respect_it is_unexceptional._When I ask_Rolf_if he_expects to see other SeaTacs, he responds_immediately: “We_already are.” An upsurge in civic_energy on the charged_issue_of low pay has resulted in_a growing number of mayoral campaigns_and popular votes aimed at_raising_pay._Over the last 15 years_there have been 10 state-level referendums_on raising the_minimum wage. All were won. So far_in_2014, 22 minimum wage-related bills have_been_introduced across 14 states. This is_no_longer_about one or two isolated_cases.

The most ambitious campaigns on low_pay have been rooted in cities, especially those with_high living costs._Next door to SeaTac, the_new_mayor_of Seattle, Ed Murray, has said he would like to_move to_a $15 wage_floor across the city. He is waiting for a report_on how best this can be achieved._San Francisco raised its minimum wage a decade ago – it_is now $10.74 and overall employee compensation is_$13,