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California lawmakers OK highest statewide minimum wage in nation

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina and Assemblywoman Nora Campos, D-San Jose, celebrated after a bill to raise the state’s minimum wage was approved by the Assembly, today, in Sacramento, Calif. The bill SB3, to gradually raise California’s minimum wage to a nation leading $15 an hour by 2022, passed by a 48-26 vote and sent to the Senate.

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Teamster member Rocio Mejia, a supporter of a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage, joined others outside the Assembly Chambers calling for Assembly members to approve the measure, today, in Sacramento, Calif.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Supporters of a bill to raise California’s minimum wage, celebrated in the Assembly gallery after the measure was approved by the state Assembly today, in Sacramento, Calif.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. » California lawmakers today approved the nation’s highest statewide minimum wage of $15 an hour to take effect by 2022 after it was hailed by Democrats as an example to the nation as it struggles with a growing gap between rich and poor.

The legislation now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown, who says he will sign it into law Monday after previously working out the plan with labor unions.

Meanwhile, in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reached a tentative deal with top legislators late Thursday to also raise his state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. If the tentative pact holds together, New York would become the second state to pay its workers that much.

The income divide has become a key issue across the U.S., with President Barack Obama proposing an increase to the federal minimum wage and the issue getting attention in the Democratic presidential primary.

Democrats who control both legislative chambers in California hailed the increase as a boon to more than 2 million of state’s poorest workers.

Brown, also a Democrat, said it proves that California can get things done and help people get ahead.

Republicans, however, echoed fears from business owners and economists that the annual increases — eventually tied to inflation — will compound California’s image as hostile to business.

The Assembly passed SB3 with a 48-26 vote. The Senate followed, 26-12.

The increases would start with a boost from $10 to $10.50 on Jan. 1. Businesses with 25 or fewer employees would have an extra year to comply. Increases of $1 an hour would come every January until 2022. The governor could delay increases in times of budgetary or economic downturns.

California’s current $10 an hour minimum wage is tied with Massachusetts for the highest among states. Only Washington, D.C., at $10.50 per hour is higher.

Los Angeles, Seattle and other cities have recently approved $15 minimum wages, while Oregon officials plan to increase the minimum to $14.75 an hour in cities and $12.50 in rural areas by 2022.

The tentative deal reached by New York officials Thursday would be phased in regionally, eventually affecting more than 2 million workers.

In New York City, the wage would increase from $9 to $15 by the end of 2018, though businesses with fewer than 10 employees would get an extra year. In the New York City suburbs of Long Island and Westchester County, the wage would rise to $15 by the end of 2022. The increases are even more drawn out upstate, where the wage would hit $12.50 in 2021 and then increase to $15 based on an undetermined schedule.

Brown was previously reluctant to raise the base wage. He negotiated the deal with labor unions to head off competing labor-backed November ballot initiatives that would have imposed swifter increases without some of the safeguards included in the legislation. Brown now says the most populous state’s fast-growing economy can absorb the raises without the problems predicted by opponents.

About 2.2 million Californians now earn the minimum wage. The University of California, Berkeley, Center for Labor Research and Education, projected the increase would have a ripple effect for those whose wages would increase to keep pace.

The researchers project it would increase pay for 5.6 million Californians by an average of 24 percent. More than a third of the affected workers are parents. Latinos would benefit most because they hold a disproportionate number of low-wage jobs, the researchers said.

The right-leaning American Action Forum countered with its own projection that the increases could cost nearly 700,000 jobs

The increases are projected to eventually cost California taxpayers an additional $3.6 billion annually for higher government employee pay.

Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation, hailed what he called a historic day for California and the country. “California takes a massive leap forward today in the fight to rebalance our nation’s economy,” Pulaski said in a statement.

However, Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, said the increase was being made too fast. “It is unfortunate the Legislature didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to address the issue in a more balanced manner,” he said.

Some members of the Legislature cited the nation’s imbalance in wealth while voting in favor of the wage increase.

“While we have made great strides in recovering from the economic recession, we know the bulk of that growth has been to the benefit of the top 1 or 2 percent,” said Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina. “Too many workers are working full-time for poverty wages.”

State Sen. Isadore Hall, D-Compton, said many workers are struggling to cover living expenses.

“They’re trying to figure out a way to buy their children diapers,” he said. “They’re finding out a way to buy their children milk. Or how might they be able to pay their utility bills.”

Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, countered that such a drastic increase would force small business owners to make layoffs “with tears in their eyes,” ultimately resulting in less employment.

“Business owners are going to go, is this an April Fool’s joke?” Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, added.

After the Assembly and Senate votes, dozens of supporters gathered on the lawn outside the Capitol for a labor-organized rally. Many waved signs saying “$15 California.”

Krystine Wilson, 27, of Carmichael said the higher wage will help her avoid racking up late fees and payday loans when the $10 an hour she earns at a fast-food restaurant isn’t enough.

“We have to decide whether or not we want to pay a certain utility bill, or do we want to pay the rent?” Wilson said. “We have to make that decision every month.”

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Associated Press writer Don Thompson contributed to this report.

11 responses to “California lawmakers OK highest statewide minimum wage in nation”

  1. Denominator says:

    California is $443,000,000,000 in debt. So these brilliant lawmakers have to look to other people’s money to spend because they have cleaned the house of the taxpayers. Now they are working on wiping out all the businesses in California. And they are so happy doing it!

  2. Keonigohan says:

    I was taught “Do not spend beyond your means”….”Work within your budget”. Democrats were not taught this. Democrats were taught to “Spend other people’s money, it’ll make you feel good”.

    • klastri says:

      You do know that Republicans routinely run up much larger budget deficits than Democrats, don’t you? Please tell me that you know that much.

      • lee1957 says:

        On the national level that was true until the 2d or 3D year of the present administration. The torch has been passed.

        • klastri says:

          Your facts are all mixed up. George H.W. Bush handed Bill Clinton a $269 billion budget deficit. President Clinton handed George W. Bush a $127.3 billion surplus. George W. Bush handed President Obama a $1.4 trillion deficit. President Obama has reduced Bush’s deficit to just $492 billion. Facts are difficult debate opponents.

        • hawaiikone says:

          http://www.craigsteiner.us/articles/16. Clinton merely stole from Social security to pay down the public debt. This is really not difficult stuff for those willing to do some digging. Let’s not start throwing that Clinton garbage around, it’s dead.

        • klastri says:

          hawaiikone – That is an internet myth that has been debunked over and over for years. Not a shock that you buy into internet conspiracies. https://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths2.html

        • lee1957 says:

          I believe you are the one who is mixed up. Go back way before Gearge I. Feel free to hurl uneducated liar comments.

        • hawaiikone says:

          http://www.fedsmith.com/2013/10/11/ronald-reagan-and-the-great-social-security-heist/. Clinton focused his share of the 2.8 trillion that was stolen on paying down the public debt, while passing on the elephant, namely the looming governmental liabilities. Although Reagan may have initiated the robbery, which essentially won the Cold war, every president since then has dipped their beaks as well. Today there’s nothing in the trust fund. Barry isn’t the culprit, 2010 predictions left him with no choice, but without some extremely serious budget restraints, how long can we borrow exponentially?

  3. AhiPoke says:

    What these legislators don’t seem to understand is that these increased wages need to come from somewhere. They also need to understand that raising the minimum isn’t the end of the process. There will now be pressures to increase other people’s wages as those currently making $15/hour may be inclined to take jobs with less responsibilities unless they receive a raise. Eventually that leads to inflation and then, guess what? We’re back to where we started except that everyone is making more.

    • klastri says:

      Have you studied the decades of experience with minimum wage law? Or do you have some special knowledge that this particular wage adjustment would be any different than the past adjustments? I’m betting the answer to both is NO.

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