SACRAMENTO — Minimum-wage workers in California would see their first raises in six years under a bill that passed the state Assembly on Thursday.
The measure from Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, would increase the state’s minimum hourly wage to $8.25 next year from the current $8. It would rise to $9.25 in 2016 and would be adjusted for inflation in following years.
Democratic supporters say the minimum wage has not kept pace with the rising costs of food, gasoline and other necessities. Nevada, Oregon and Washington have set their minimum wages higher than California, Alejo said.
“The last time the minimum wage was increased in California, gas was at $3.25 a gallon in this state,” he said. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen gas prices at that level for a very long time.”
Opponents argued that minimum-wage jobs are often held by teenagers or those who soon move on to higher-paid positions. In response, Alejo said his mother-in-law has earned the minimum wage at one of her jobs for 20 years.
Business leaders oppose the bill, which they say would burden employers and force them to cut jobs. A study by the National Federation of Independent Business said more than 68,000 jobs could be lost during the next decade as a result.
Different regions of the state face different economic challenges, making a higher wage reasonable in more expensive areas but harmful in areas with a lower cost of living, said Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills.
The Assembly approved AB10 on a 42-24 vote, with Assemblyman Ken Cooley, D-Rancho Cordova, joining Republicans in opposition. It now heads to the Senate.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Murder for Two Read moreMurder For Two
Much Ado About Nothing: A Modern Verse Translation, tells the timeless and hilarious story o… Read moreMills High School Much Ado About Nothing: A Modern Translation
Dirk van Ulden said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.