Tipped workers on ballot

A Maricopa County judge has ruled that Arizona's Proposition 138, dubbed the 'Tipped Workers Protection Act,' will remain on the ballot for voters to decide in November. The proposition, backed by the Arizona Restaurant Association, would allow restaurants to pay tipped workers up to 25% less than the minimum wage, provided their total compensation meets or exceeds the minimum wage plus an additional $2 per hour. Critics, including the group Raise the Wage Arizona, argue the title is misleading and that the measure could actually reduce wages for tipped workers. However, the judge found no inherent deception in the title and noted that it is not the official title on the ballot. A competing measure, which aims to increase the minimum wage and ensure that tips are included, will also be on the ballot. As both propositions present conflicting approaches to wage management for tipped workers, public sentiment on the issue remains pivotal.