DC Council unveils budget with Commanders stadium funding, I-82 repeal
The District of columbia Council has unveiled it’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, wich includes $1 billion in funding for a new stadium for the Washington Commanders football team. the budget also calls for the repeal of Initiative 82, a voter-approved measure that had gradually increased the base wage for tipped workers. Under the proposed repeal, the tipped minimum wage base would be reduced from $10 to $8 per hour, with the total minimum wage for tipped workers set at $20 per hour, requiring employers to cover any shortfall if tips do not meet that amount.While the budget allocates money for the stadium deal, it does not officially approve it, with the council postponing the final vote to allow more time for consideration. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson described the budget as a fair compromise. Additionally, the budget caps restaurant service fees at 10%.The Council is expected to vote on the budget proposal soon, with a final decision anticipated within the next two weeks.
DC Council unveils budget with Commanders stadium funding and Initiative 82 repeal
The District of Columbia Council released its budget for fiscal 2026.
It would include $1 billion for the Washington Commanders stadium deal and would repeal Initiative 82, which has gradually increased the base wage for servers and other tipped workers. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her budget proposal earlier this year, which also included funding for the football stadium and repealing I-82.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson called the budget proposal a fair compromise.
While the budget includes the Commanders deal, in which the team will contribute nearly $2.7 billion and the city will fund about $1 billion, it does not approve it.
Council members recently moved their deadline to vote on the deal back. Bowser and the Commanders were pushing for the deal to be approved by Tuesday. A vote will now likely be held this fall.
Council members said they recognize the “once-in-a-generation opportunity the District has to redevelop the RFK campus and bring the Commanders back to their rightful home in the District. However, the Committee also recognizes that the Council needs more time to consider the proposed deal, which would commit the District to spending well above $1.0 billion over the coming decade.”
The budget would also repeal I-82, which was approved overwhelmingly by district residents in 2022. This would implement an $8 per hour tipped wage base, which is down from the current $10 per hour base employers are required to pay. The minimum wage for tipped workers would additionally rise to $20 per hour, and employers would need to make up the remaining $12 if employees do not make it in tips.
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The council budget also capped restaurant service fees at 10%.
The council is slated to vote on a new budget proposal Monday, and a final vote will be conducted in the next two weeks.
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