California Legislature OKs minimum wage boost

SACRAMENTO — A bill to raise the state minimum wage to $10 an hour by January 2016 has been approved by the California Legislature and sent to the governor.

The hourly increase would take effect in two steps: from $8 to $9 in July 2014 and to $10 on Jan. 1, 2016.

The heavily lobbied bill, AB10, was approved by both the Senate and the Assembly on Thursday. It now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown, who pledged to sign the measure by Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville).

Labor unions actively supported the increase; business lobbyists opposed it.

“This is the time to raise the minimum wage to provide relief for hardworking families,” Alejo said.