MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, Dori Monson debate $15 minimum wage

Mar 3, 2014, 2:20 PM | Updated: 4:06 pm

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer joins KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson for a debate of a $15 ...

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer joins KIRO Radio's Dori Monson for a debate of a $15 minimum wage in Seattle. (MyNorthwest.com/Jamie Skorheim)

(MyNorthwest.com/Jamie Skorheim)

The battle for a $15 minimum wage in Seattle is heating up as Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant urged supporters to join her at Wednesday’s Town Hall.

“I encourage all supporters of 15, all fast food workers, all retail workers, all human service workers to come early, put your name on the list, and testify about what $15 an hour would mean to you and your family,” she said in a video released promoting the event.

One of the other prominent voices in the call for a $15 an hour minimum wage sat down with KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson on Monday.

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer has emerged as one of the strongest voices in support of the $15 minimum wage campaign. He’s said before and reiterated for Monson that, “The fundamental law of capitalism is that if workers don’t have any money, businesses don’t have any customers.”

But Monson doesn’t see it being the responsibility of government to intervene.

“This is where you and I differ so much because you believe that managing it is some level of governmental involvement,” said Monson. “I believe that managing it […] is you make yourself. You acquire the job skills. You acquire the talents that make you marketable to an employer.”

The two spent a full hour debating the issue:

MyNorthwest News

Seneca overpass body...

Frank Lenzi

Person found dead along I-5 near Seneca in Seattle

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is investigating after a person was found dead in a grassy area along I-5.

8 minutes ago

everett fire median i-5...

Jason Sutich

All lanes back open after brush fire in I-5 median near Everett

A brush fire in the median of I-5 near Everett is blocking the HOV lane in both directions and the southbound left general-purpose lane.

38 minutes ago

Kristina Liutova...

Frank Lenzi

Redmond’s Kristina Liutova, 16, wins first-round US Open qualifying match

Redmond teenager and youngest active WTA champion Kristina Liutova is one step closer to qualifying for the main draw at the US Open.

55 minutes ago

WA governor threat kill charge...

James Lynch

Man charged with threatening to kill WA governor after laying out detailed plan

A 34-year-old man with a history of violent offenses has been charged in King County with threatening to kill Washington Governor Robert Ferguson.

1 hour ago

bridgeport stabbing...

Jake Renn, KIRO 7 News

Man stabbed at Bridgeport Quik E Mart, four suspects arrested

Douglas County deputies were sent to a Bridgeport Quik E Mart last Monday, Aug. 17, after reports of a stabbing.

3 hours ago

Soundview tacoma little league wa...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘They make me proud as hell’: Tacoma dad chokes up as team faces Little League World Series elimination

Tacoma's Soundview Little League aims for victory against Phenix City in a crucial win-or-go-home game.

5 hours ago

Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, Dori Monson debate $15 minimum wage