In the end, it’s service that will suffer. The best servers make the best tips and the crappy ones are quickly weeded out. If there is a guaranteed wage of $12 an hour, the good ones will immediately see that their efforts gain them nothing over the slow, forgetful, and sullen servers.
Look up “socialism”.
This is the ONLY COUNTRY in the world with tipping at this level. In fact, most countries have no tipping.
I’ll take my chances in joining the ‘world community’, in this regard...and since they now have a ‘living wage’, they’ll be JUST FINE without the tips.
One of my favorite waiters at an establisment I would frequent in my younger days said he made high 5 figures annually working Friday through Sunday only. Good waitstaff at good establishments can make good money. This ‘living wage’ nonsense will eliminate this.