CA: Governor Moves To Hike Minimum Wage

Capitol Notes / KQED ^ | 5/18/06 | John Myers

[NormsRevenge]

Following up a suggestion made last month by a Republican legislator, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has moved to increase California's minimum wage by $1 an hour between now and early next year.

Schwarzenegger today petitioned the state's Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) to increase the minimum wage from its current rate of $6.75 an hour. The last increase was in January 2002.

Last month, Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) suggested the very same plan-- a way to avoid the current impasse with Democrats in the Legislature. Schwarzenegger and Maldonado have advocated for only the $1 hike, while Democrats also want a provision that would automatically link the minimum wage to the economy and inflation.

However, the IWC was de-funded by the Legislature in 2004, and now pretty much exists in name only. In fact, the terms of some of the commissioners appear to have expired.

But the move, if successful, could give Schwarzenegger another powerful symbol for his re-election campaign, especially with Democratic and non-partisan voters.

[NormsRevenge]

hike hike hike!

[Tarpon]

I bid $45 dollars, anyone want to raise me?

[NittanyLion]

Cheap. I think the CA minimum wage should be $75/hour.

[A CA Guy]

Should be $75 an hour to afford one of these fancy 900 square foot 850k mansions here in CA and their 10k property taxes.

[Fruitbat]

I bid $45 dollars, anyone want to raise me?

I agree. Who can live on $6.75/hour. That's only $13.5K/year.

Your suggestion is far better. That's about 90K/yr. which people can live on.

Who does Schwarzeneger think he is making people live on a paltry 13.5K! He should be ashamed. Now let's get that thing moving in CA.

[TeenagedConservative]

Anyone who supports the minimum wage has never spent 30 seconds thinking about it. In high school, I wrote a paper proving, in at least 10 different ways, that the minimum wage does the opposite of everyone one of its goals.

Several people have already said this, but it makes no sens to have a low minimum wage. Either you don't have one, or you make it 50 dollars an hour or more.

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

Governor of California, another job Americans won't do.

[river rat]

"That's about 90K/yr. which people can live on.

Not in any desirable part of Kalifornicate - if you don't already own your home.

Semper Fi

[Tarpon]

OK I go with your $75 and raise you $5, even $80. I am cheap. Besides, illegals will under cut the market. Surly you can get someone to do the jobs Americans won't do for $70. We want the illegals to be able to afford one of those mansions to.

[Fruitbat]

Agreed. Much like here in the N.VA area. Impossible to do.

Well then, let's raise the MW to what then, shall we say $60/hour?

[freedumb2003]

Governor of California, another job Americans won't do.

LOL!!! That is TAG material!

For that matter, I am stealing it NOW to be a tag. I'll try to remember you but I doubt I will. I have a mind like a steel sieve.

Thanks :)

[KoRn]

"I bid $45 dollars, anyone want to raise me?"

Everyone in CA should make $750,000 per year, and have free health care, auto insurance, housing, groceries, and only have to work 2 hours a day.

[Tarpon]

Yeah, I guess you are right, I call you and fold.

[A CA Guy]

Illegals just get a few hundred feet of sand in Riverside often, buy 5 old garage doors for 4 walls and a roof and they get the budget 550k home.
They don't often go for the 90 square foot mansion. In cases like that they sleep 25 in an area like that to pay the rent.

[umgud]

I pay my ex wife more than that for alimony and she doesn't even have to work for it.

[winner3000]

The move, if successful, could give Schwarzenegger another powerful symbol for his re-election campaign, especially with Democratic and non-partisan voters, AND OTHER VOTERS COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS OF PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS.

There, much better.

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

[ For that matter, I am stealing it NOW to be a tag.]

I'm honored. I'll keep my eye out for you.

[river rat]

I was raised in and about Winchester and Berryville, VA...in the 40's/50's..

The last time I visited the area in the 80's -- I couldn't believe how it had changed ------ for the worse, in my opinion.

Semper Fi

[freedumb2003]

:)

I will try to live up to whatever expectations you have.