Statement in Response to the Mayor's Announcement in Support of the Repeal of Initiative 82

Statement from Shawn Townsend, President & CEO of RAMW

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington thanks Mayor Bowser for standing with restaurant operators, workers, and diners by supporting the repeal of Initiative 82. Her leadership reflects a clear understanding of the urgent and present challenges our industry is facing and the immediate action required to preserve it.

Let us be clear — repealing Initiative 82 is about saving jobs, saving restaurants, and stabilizing a vital sector of the District’s economy. Restaurants are cornerstones of our communities.

Yet nearly 70% of them have already been forced to cut hours and lay off staff. In 2024 alone, the city saw a record 74 closures. The consequences of inaction are not hypothetical — they’re happening now. 

We urge the DC Council to join us and support the repeal of Initiative 82. The industry is at a breaking point. Immediate relief is needed. The time to lead is now.