WA Progressive policies are making dining out a luxury only the wealthy can enjoy

The holiday season is usually a very busy time for restaurants and bars. Yet a recent report shows that progressives’ taxes and regulation have forced establishments in Seattle and across the state to raise their prices to the highest in the country – making dining out too expensive for many lower- and middle-income workers.

The Washington Hospitality Association released a nationwide comprehensive study which found that due to high wage laws, taxes, and regulations:

• Washington had the highest dining cost in the continental United States (just above California). Eating out in our state cost 13.6% more than the national average.
• Seattle has the second highest restaurant costs (only San Francisco is higher) of the nation’s top 20 markets. Seattle is 17% more expensive than the average cost in those cities.
• Profits for Washington State eating establishments are 60% lower than the national average.

Democrat policies continue to divide Washington State into the haves and have nots. While the rich can afford to pay high gas taxes, drive in expensive toll roads/lanes, and afford tuition for private schools, the middle class is being forced into unsafe public transit, stuck in congestion, and sending their children to failing public schools.

We can now add dining out to the list of items many state residents cannot afford due to progressive policies and taxes.

This is not good news for restaurant owners and workers as they face the annual post-holiday decline in business.  This year’s slump will be especially hard as fewer people can afford the higher restaurant prices due to the Democrats’ higher taxes and regulations.