washington district columbia city council approve 15-an-hour minimum wage tuesday rate adopt grow number u.s. cities state seek battle income inequality council vote unanimously pass measure boost minimum hourly wage 15 2020 subsequent hike tie inflation final vote come late month democratic mayor muriel bowser back bill approve u.s. capital join california new york make 15 hourly minimum least eight cities include seattle also approve 15 base raise minimum wage help address issue residents push district due rise cost live income inequality council member vincent orange sponsor bill say hear supporters say washington robust economy grow population mean support high minimum wage district columbia base wage 10.50 go july exist law federal minimum 7.25 hour 15 minimum estimate raise wag 114,000 workers 14 percent district columbia workforce accord analysis council non-profit economic policy institute high pay proposal support unions oppose district chamber commerce say district raise wag neighbor suburbs district columbia boom restaurant industry also oppose restaurant owners local restaurant association say high cost would lead layoffs lawmakers say measure go far enough address widen income gap 18 percent poverty rate council member david grosso add amendment require government study minimum income system help poor residents raise minimum wage good thing 15 enough number 35 50 hour ask measure minimum workers get tip like waiters bartenders would also 15 hour 2020. follow talk unions restaurateurs community activists employers would make difference base tip workers hour 2020 current 2.77 orange say district columbia approve 15/hour minimum wage