We recently wrote an editorial explaining why wealthy investor Joe Sanberg’s call for a ballot measure to raise California’s minimum wage to $18 per hour was a bad idea.
To recap: Former Gov. Jerry Brown nailed it when he said raising the minimum wage didn’t make “economic sense” (though sadly Brown made the comment as he was signing an increase into law). The gains for workers are nominal, the increase puts a heavy burden on both small businesses and taxpayers and the increase drives inflation.
Instead, we argued that Sanberg would be more effective focusing his wealth and energy on influencing lawmakers to foster an economy that promotes opportunity and lowers the cost of living.
Unfortunately, increasing the minimum wage is not the solution. But you don’t have to take our word for it. The minimum wage has been increasing in California for the past few years. Do you see evidence that it’s gloriously lifting people into financial stability? No? Neither do we.
Sanberg challenged us to a debate. If he qualifies the ballot measure, we will certainly invite him in to sit with the editorial board, as we do with all qualified ballot measure proponents and opponents.
But we urge him to refine his argument beyond what he offered on Twitter.
“Today, a single parent with two children, working full-time in CA would need to earn $50 per hour just to get by,” Sanberg tweeted.
Well, he said it himself. We fail to see how $18 per hour is a meaningful compromise.
“When we raise the...
; ; ; agreed to pay $17.07 million to settle federal allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices on Friday, marking the Justice Department's first resolution unde...