Californians are set to vote in November on whether to increase the statewide minimum wage, following a recent rise in fast-food workers’ wages to $20 an hour.
Currently, the minimum wage in California is $16, up from $10.50 in 2017 due to incremental increases mandated by state law. Proposition 32, the ballot measure, proposes raising the minimum wage to $18 per hour in 2025. For employers with fewer than 25 workers, the increase would take effect in 2026. This would establish California’s minimum wage as the highest in the nation, second only to West Hollywood’s local wage of $19.08.
The initiative is spearheaded by Joe Sanberg, an anti-poverty advocate and investor. Although Sanberg introduced the proposal in 2022, it did not qualify for the ballot until 2024 due to insufficient signatures initially.
The San Francisco Living Wage Coalition, a grassroots organization advocating for higher wages, has expressed strong support for the measure. They noted that the increasing cost of living in California, combined with stagnant wages, underscores the need for the proposed increase.
One Fair Wage, another anti-poverty organization with chapters nationwide, also supports Proposition 32. They assert that a living wage of at least $22-$24 per hour is necessary for workers in California.
In April, the minimum wage for fast-food workers rose to $20 per hour. Despite forecasts of significant job losses in the industry, labor data from May indicated an increase in fast-food jobs compared to the previous year.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a fiscal emergency in June, which has sparked debates about the potential economic impact of a statewide wage increase. Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig voiced concerns about the negative effects on small businesses and suggested that fostering entrepreneurship in industries like lumber and oil would be a better approach to improving the economy.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), representing 13,000 small businesses in California, opposes Proposition 32. John Kabateck, NFIB’s California state director, argued that a uniform minimum wage could further strain small businesses, which already face significant costs due to local regulations and permits. Kabateck warned that while the measure might offer short-term financial relief to workers, it could lead to long-term economic challenges for small businesses.
Kabateck emphasized that small business owners need stability and predictability to keep their operations running and their employees working, and he questioned the long-term viability of the proposed wage increase.
Minimum wage increases unemployment, prices, and cost of living. It decreases quality of life, available job opportunities, and variety of vendors and retailers.
Congratulations, you are playing yourselves.
I can’t wait to vote for this ballot measure in November. It’ll be a rare win for the little guy 👏🙏🏽
The minimum wage should be higher than $20 by now, but for now we can settle for $20 statewide.
LMAO you don’t understand economics.
At $16, the state has a solid “floor” as a minimum wage. Anything higher should be left to the local governments. Weho said $19.18 is good for them, but $16 may be just fine for Oroville, CA for example. Please vote no on any tax- or bond-related ballot measures.
yeah, let’d do it state wide cause it has done wonders for West Hollywood..just ask all our small businesses…what’s left of them. 🙄
Following Gavin Newsom’s tax payer paid personal campaign tour of the East coast last week while California was burning , nobody nationally takes anything that is legislated in Sacramento seriously.
They do, actually. As a threat to the American way of life.
Following the assassination attempt on Trump, the whole ball game has changed. I would not be surprised at the State of California goes Republican in the next election. All that equity pronoun b s is now nothing except everything that the majority of men hate. As for Adam Schiff, hits Washington office has cut off all voicemail because they are so damaging messages to Ed Buck’s best friend. The game has totally changed.
I am glad this is a ballot measure and not be legislated. Please vote against this statewide measure and let individual cities decide their wage.
I suspect that fast food jobs are up because restaurant jobs are down. Maybe a first date in the summer of 2024 is at In and Out. Given the outlandish amount of fast food commercials on television it is hard to believe that fast food places can’t absorb salary increases.
There ya go, thinking that you know better than the business owner because you know what his income and obligations are!
Many economists say that fast-food jobs are up due to calendarization. The summer adds a lot of hires and then drops in the fall. I do think that food service in general, both FF and casual and fine dining will see an overall drop in employment in the next few years. Albeit anecdotal, a friend of mine says restaurants downtown are half full compared to a few years ago.
I see that Elon Musk is donating to the Trump campaign $45 million every month. Remember that next time you think about buying a Tesla.
But climate change? Well, at least we can drink out of paper straws to save the environment, while the elite fly on their private jets and then tell us we need to lower emissions.
I’ll take two please.
I will certainly remember with fondness, and I agree, it’s impressive! Elon Musk is undeniably successful in life and business, a true patriot. As for your reliance on CNN and MSM, it seems like staying on that victimhood and misery cycle is something you refuse to acknowledge. Take a break from that and consider this: Can you name one negative thing Mr. D.J. Trump did in politics? I’ll wait. And if you’re going to repeat those accusations of racism, remember they only emerged after he proposed securing our borders against invaders. Look where our country is now that those plans… Read more »