Question 5 was failing at a 64%-36% rate at the time. Associated Press With over 70% of the votes counted, the contest was held at 12:30 Eastern time.

That provision would gradually increase tipped wages by 2029 to match the Bay State’s regular $15 minimum wage. The initiative would still allow these workers to be tipped in addition to their base salary. The current base wage for tipped workers is $6.75.

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Opponents of the measure successfully argued that increasing the cost burden for restaurant and bar owners would make it harder for those businesses to operate. These businesses may also have to add service fees to offset losses; This means servers may earn less in tips.

Still, proponents of Question 5 argued that tipped workers do not always earn enough in tips to make up the difference between base wage and minimum wage, and that the increase in wages is fair given the cost of living.

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Nearly $1.5 million in donations opposing the measure came from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and individual restaurant owners. The vast majority of the nearly $1 million in funding supporting the measure. came One Fair Wage, a liberal group that supports minimum wage increases.

Washington DC passed a similar measure in 2022. In this case, Washington employers would be required to pay tipped employees a base wage of $16.10 per hour through 2027; this is the minimum wage for non-tipped workers.