Washington - Seattle Mayor Forms Panel to Look at Incomes - NYTimes.com Mayor-elect Ed Murray of Seattle, who ran on a pledge backing a $15 minimum wage, said that he would create an Income Inequality Advisory Committee, led by a union leader and a business executive, and that he planned to propose legislation to the City Council by spring. Washington has the nation's highest state minimum wage, $9.19, and the small city of SeaTac, Wash., passed a $15 minimum wage on Election Day. It is the nation's highest municipal rate and twice the federal minimum of $7.25. Mr. Murray, a Democrat, said he would not prejudge the panel's recommendations, and wanted to avoid an expensive referendum.