Two propositions on California’s November ballot will impact a pair of large USC demographics, renters and those earning minimum wage.

People under 25 make up nearly a third of minimum wage workers in California, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Proposition 32, if passed, would raise the statewide minimum wage to $18 by January 2025.

Proposition 33 allows cities to control rent on single-family homes and apartments — including on-campus housing — by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Act, a law permitting landlords to set initial pricing for housing built after January 1995.

Vanessa Ramirez, a sophomore studying biological science at USC, lives in an apartment in the West Adams neighborhood. She said her rent is reasonable for the area but the current rate leaves her little extra money to pay bills and buy food.

“Realistically I’m like, ‘Why is it so much?’ I practically just need a place to sleep,” Ramirez said.

Proposition 32 - An $18 minimum wage

While the statewide minimum wage is $16 with annual adjustments for inflation, the hourly minimum wage in Los Angeles County is $17.28. Prop. 32 seeks to round the number up.

Supporters of the proposition include the California Democratic Party, labor unions such as Unite Here and anti-poverty activist and entrepreneur, Joseph Sanberg, who spent over $10 million in his efforts to get the measure on the ballot.

Gabriel Harris, a sophomore studying architecture, lives in the USC Village and spends between $6,500 to $8,000...

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