Minimum Wage Hike Clears Calif. Assembly, Senate

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Senate Bill 3 calls for raising the Golden State’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.

The deal, struck over the weekend with California labor unions, has seen no shortage of debate or controversy.

Opponents, including Yucca Valley Republican Chad Mayes, claim a higher minimum wage will harm workers, and industries like agriculture.

Mayes said on the Assembly Floor Thursday, “We’re under increased competition from Mexico; they’re catching on, and their labor costs are so much less than us in U.S. I think of all those people in that building who, more than likely, are going to lose their job, because of this measure.”

However, supporters of boosting the minimum wage, such as San Diego Democrat Dr. Shirley Weber, disagree.

“Let’s not make believe that this going to have some dramatic impact on California, and we’re going to see this change. We’ve already seen it… We would be irresponsible, if we didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, to make this fiscally-responsible decision about how move forward in this state, over the next 6 to 7 years,” Weber said.

The measure cleared the California Assembly Thursday, on a vote of of 48 to 26, and passed the Senate, on a vote of 26 to 12.

Governor Jerry Brown will sign the bill on Monday, in Los Angeles.