It looks like California’s minimum wage will go up next year for the first time since 2008. Ben Adler reports from Sacramento on the deal announced today by Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders.
Under the deal, California’s $8-an-hour minimum wage would rise to $9 in July of next year, and then to $10 in January of 2016. That’s a faster pace than the original bill that’s been moving through the legislature this year. But it does not include automatic adjustments for inflation, as was previously proposed.
The California Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the California Restaurant Association all oppose a minimum wage increase. And they’re not happy with this deal.
It also appears some outside pressure may have loomed over the negotiations. Labor unions have been talking about qualifying a minimum wage initiative for next year’s ballot. Now, that’s less likely to move forward.