The Council of the District of Columbia voted 8-4 on Tuesday to pause the next scheduled wage increase for tipped workers, temporarily halting the implementation of Initiative 82. The initiative, overwhelmingly approved by 74% of voters in 2022,

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.

WASHINGTON — The DC Council voted 8-4 Tuesday to hit the pause button on the next phase of the contentious Initiative 82. This is in line with Mayor Muriel Bowser's 2026 budget proposal, which included repealing the voter-approved measure as one of her ways of "cutting through red tape."