“I applaud the House Appropriations Committee for their support of a fair wage for Washington’s workers. Today’s minimum wage is not enough for a family to make ends meet.

“An honest day’s work should be rewarded with a fair wage. The stock market has seen record highs, corporate profits have never been better, but the benefits of the economic recovery has not reached our working class. The income gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow.

“By raising the minimum wage, more hard-working Americans will be able to obtain the basics they need to support their families. Raising the minimum wage rewards hard work, provides a boost to the economy, and saves taxpayer dollars by requiring less spending in government services.

“I’m hopeful we will see this measure end up on the Governor’s desk for his signature this session.”