The initiative to raise the state's minimum wage violated the state's constitution. So says a lawsuit filed in Kittitas County Superior Court by several businesses and lobbying groups.

Washington State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business Patrick O'Connor said, "Once the legislative session convened representatives from different organizations were in the same place at the same time and started talking about problems we saw with the initiative and litigation seemed to make the most sense."

The lead plantiff is Brad Haberman from Number 9 Hay in Ellensburg who was joined by NFIB, Northwest Food Processors Association, the Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington Food Industry Association, and the Washington Retail Association.

O'Connor said the initiative violates the state's constitution.

"Initiatives must contain a single subject. We believe I-1433 covers more than one; an increase in the state's minimum wage, but also a new paid leave mandate. Those should have been subject of separate legislation, separate initiatives. Since it doesn't follow the constitution we're taking it to court and trying to get it resolved."

The lawsuit also claims that the initiative failed to adequately describe the content in its title and didn't properly identify who would be impacted the sick leave aspect of the law.

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