California Assembly approves minimum wage increase
SACRAMENTO -- The Assembly voted on Thursday to increase the minimum wage in California over the next three years, hiking it from $8 an hour to $9.25.
Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), the author of the bill, said higher wages would “allow our families to provide for their children, pay their bills and give them dignity and respect.”
Starting in 2017, the bill would also require the state to increase the minimum wage at a rate equivalent to inflation.
The legislation now goes to the state Senate. Previous efforts by Alejo have stalled in the Capitol.
Republicans opposed the bill (AB 10), saying it would harm the economy by making it harder for companies to employ new workers
“You can’t legislate on your hopes,” said Assemblyman Donald Wagner (R-Irvine). “You have to legislate in the real world. You’re not doing it if you support this bill.”
California’s minimum wage is among the highest in the country although it hasn’t been raised in more than five years.
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Twitter: @chrismegerian
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