Meanwhile, there’s a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage to $12.50 per hour.

The D.C. Council unanimously passed an increase in the minimum wage today in a very anticlimactic moment that was, nonetheless, celebrated by supporters.

When asked how he responded to criticism that his Live the Wage challenge was nothing but a publicity stunt, he responded firmly “Absolutely this is a publicity stunt.”

At the moment, there is no certification process or body that ensures restaurant employees are being paid a tip credit.

“Mayor Gray seemed quite happy with this presidential endorsement, clapping enthusiastically.”

The Council also unanimously passed an amendment to the Earned Sick and Safe Leave Act that will provide paid sick days to restaurant workers.

In a vote of 6-0, the Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs committee approved a proposal that would raise the minimum wage to $11.50 over three years, with the wage rising each year after that based on the Consumer Price Index.

An op-ed by Ari Weisbard, deputy director at the Employment Justice Center, on what the restaurant industry gets wrong about the tipped minimum wage debate