DC Lawmakers Pass Living Wage Bill

Up to $12.50 for some employers

D.C. lawmakers took a modest step away from the city's high-tax reputation on Wednesday by approving a budget that includes a cut in the sales tax while cementing a tradition of strong business regulation by giving an initial nod to a bill requiring some big-name retailers to pay a "super minimum wage."

The budget vote represents first efforts to roll back tax increases made four years ago when the economic crisis decimated government revenue. The cut in the general sales tax, to 5.75 percent from 6 percent, was made possible by a $92.3 million addition to fiscal 2014 revenue estimates announced Monday.