Issue Position: Living Wages and Economic Security

Issue Position

Good Jobs, Fair Wages and Sustainable and Equitable Development

Delegate Washington knows we must consider new, bold ways to make our economy work again for all Marylanders. No one should live in poverty, nor be consigned to a future of permanent stagnation or anxiety. This means Baltimore City must not only protect workers rights but also we must work toward benefits for a secure retirement for our seniors, and access to quality healthcare including affordable prescriptions.

As a Delegate she has:

strongly supported efforts to increase Maryland's minimum wage including the Fight for $15
protected and preserved the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) after the recent changes from the federal government. She is also committed to ensuring 170,000 children keep their health insurance under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
ensured our seniors have safe and well-funded senior centers by securing an additional $500K annually
voted to override the governor's veto so working people get the paid sick leave. They no longer have to choose between doing their jobs and caring for themselves and their families.
Strengthened organized labor by requiring an Assistant Attorney General be assigned to serve state labor relations boards
Defended working men and women by creating a more modern, transparent appeals process for workplace grievances
Created a fast, efficient appeal process for homeowners whose property tax assessments are valued incorrectly by the state
If elected to State Senate she wants to:

introduce, co-sign, and lobby to secure decent wages, benefits and retirement for working people living in the State of Maryland.
pay all workers a living wage--set the Maryland minimum wage to at least $15 per hour, indexed to inflation
ensure large employers, or any business that contracts with the state be required to provide health insurance for their employees. Leaving the state to foot the bill for Medicaid, CHIP, and insurance-exchange subsidies is not fair and should not be tolerated.
protect insecure employment arrangements by creating a wage threshold and employment protections for all independent contractors, temporary workers, freelance workers, part-time workers, and day laborers,
create safe and family-friendly workplaces with worker safety programs, offering day-care service at every workplace or reasonably nearby.

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