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One of the most fierce struggles was to rid Washington, DC of payday lenders, short term lenders that preyed upon the poorest and most vulnerable in the community. Another noteworthy legislative endeavor championed by Faith Strategies was the Large Retailer Accountability Act. This initiative aimed to hold large corporations accountable by ensuring they shared their profits with workers through increased wages. While the measure passed the DC Council, it ultimately lacked the votes needed to withstand a mayoral veto. However, its failure prompted DC officials to raise the minimum wage as a form of political compensation.

Additionally, initiatives like Initiative 77 sought to address national issues such as the implementation of One Fair Wage. This initiative targeted the disparity in minimum wage rates for restaurant employees compared to other industries, which was perceived as discriminatory and prone to exploitation. Advocates for One Fair Wage argued that implementing a unified wage system would reduce opportunities for abuse and discrimination while providing greater stability for industry workers.

Despite being approved by voters, Initiative 77 faced opposition from the DC Council, leading to a political showdown over the council’s decision to override the initiative. Save Our Vote spearheaded a massive campaign to gather 25,000 signatures from registered voters in under 30 days to force a referendum on the ballot. Although enough signatures were obtained, legal challenges from the powerful restaurant industry thwarted the referendum, undermining the voice of the electorate and preventing it from being included on the ballot.