D.C. Council pauses Initiative 82 tipped wage increase

Written By Christian Clansky

Axios | By Cuneyt Dil | June 3, 2025

Arguing that restaurants are facing tough times, the D.C. Council paused the next phase of Initiative 82, weeks ahead of a scheduled rise in the tipped minimum wage.

Why it matters: Lawmakers voted 8-4 Tuesday to freeze the wage increase while it considers a full repeal of the law — as sought by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the restaurant industry.

State of play: The tipped minimum wage will stay at $10 per hour and not rise to $12 on July 1, as was mandated in the ballot initiative.

  • Council members supporting the pause argued that it does not change the fact that servers, bartenders and other tipped workers are still entitled to the District's full minimum wage. If a worker doesn't receive enough in tips, the business has to pitch in the difference.

  • The city's hourly minimum wage for all workers is scheduled to increase from $17.50 to $17.95 on July 1.

Christian Clansky
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