FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington, DC – (May 7, 2025)– The DC Republican Party issued the following statement supporting Mayor Muriel Bowser’s efforts to repeal the failing “tipped wage” policy in DC, which became law following a ballot initiative:
Left-wing, out-of-town special interest groups primarily funded the Initiative 82 campaign. Since its passage, it has forced restaurants to change their business models and, because of its scaled approach, has created annual chaos. According to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC, restaurants have been going out of business at a rate of 1.5 per week. Consumers are paying a stiff price, too, with menu prices rising and additional fees appended to meal costs.
Patrick Mara, DC Republican Party Chairman, stated, “Initiative 82 has been a complete disaster for restaurant owners, workers, and consumers. In an environment where restaurants are already struggling, the inexplicable, if not crazy ”economic” model imposed by Initiative 82 is devastating. Also, the system confuses patrons and leaves many feeling they were ‘ripped off.’ No good has come of this radical experiment. Indeed, not a single scintilla of economic data ever suggested it would be a success in achieving its purported goals.”
“The DC GOP urges immediate repeal of Initiative 82. Mayor Bowser has made this a priority, and now the DC Council must take action. It’s about time they did something right,” said Mara.
The DC Republican Party is comprised of registered Republicans living throughout the District of Columbia in all eight wards who are nominated and elected to serve as members. It is a state party with three elected members of the 168-member Republican National Committee.
For further information or comments, please contact Nicole M. McClure, Executive Director of the DC Republican Committee, at nicole@dcgop.com
