NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Seattle could soon lay claim to the nation’s highest minimum wage.
Mayor Ed Murray unveiled on Thursday his proposal for a $15 minimum wage, a plan he said has broad support across the local government, business and labor communities.
Washington already has the nation’s highest state-level minimum wage of $9.32. The Seattle proposal would be more than double the current federal minimum wage of $7.25.
Related: Quinn pushes raise for Illinois minimum wage
Mayor Murray’s plan would take effect over several years and apply first to some large businesses starting in 2017, and ultimately to all businesses by 2021.
All told, the wage hike will apply to 102,000 workers, according to 15 for Seattle, an advocacy group that supports the plan. Annual increases would then be tied to inflation.
The city council will begin considering the proposal next week and hold a series of public meetings…
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