Raise tipped wages in Tennessee to $3.63.
Why is this important?
I have worked for tips as a bartender for 10 years. While the cost of living continues to rise in Tennessee, the amount people tip is steadily declining. Tipped minimum wage was set at $2.13 per hour in 1991 and has been frozen since. In 2009, federal minimum wage was increased, yet tipped wages remained the same. Since states can choose to adopt their own tipped wage, I would like to see Tennessee raise the tipped wage to $3.63 so these workers have a fair shot at making a comfortable living wage. The raise to $3.63 is based on tipped wage being half of current minimum wage.
