Californians are used to voting on ballot propositions regarding issues from same-sex marriage to the legalization of recreational marijuana and a host of proposals that affect how the state spends taxpayer money. This November, the state minimum wage is in voters’ hands.
California has among the highest minimum wages in the U.S., and some cities have higher ones. However, a person earning minimum wage cannot be self-supporting on that income alone. The annual amount of income earned by someone making minimum wage is around $33,000. The average cost of living for Californians is about $20,000 above that.
The minimum wage typically increases annually based on the cost of living. The current California minimum wage of $16 is set to increase to $16.50 in the new year.
The changes included in Proposition 32
If Prop 32 on the November ballot passes, here’s what it would do:
- The minimum hourly wage paid by employers with over 25 employees would immediately increase to $17, and then to $18 per hour on Jan. 1, 2025.
- The minimum wage paid by employers with 25 or fewer employees would increase to $17 on Jan. 1, 2025, and then $18 at the beginning of 2026.
- After these initial increases that put the state minimum wage at $18 per hour in 2026, minimum wages would be adjusted each year based on the inflation rate.
The measure could benefit any hourly worker – but especially those just entering the workforce or even starting with a new employer. However, it’s particularly intended to improve the wages of grocery store workers, restaurants and other mostly essential employees who are the most likely not to earn much above the minimum wage.
What does the opposition say?
Not surprisingly, those opposing the measure are groups representing grocery store and restaurant owners as well as and California Chamber of Commerce. They point out that the “horribly flawed measure” is written by “one multimillionaire alone.” They claim it “increases the cost of living, eliminates jobs, makes our state and local government budget deficits worse, and makes California’s complex minimum wage laws even harder for businesses and workers to understand.”
Regardless of what happens with this measure, all employees must ensure that they’re earning at least the minimum wage they’re due under the law. If you’re having wage issues that you can’t resolve with your employer, it may be work getting legal guidance to protect your rights.