292 S. La Cienega Blvd. Ste 321

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

 

Tel: 800.696.1206

Fax: 213.985.1475

 

© 2015 by Pershing Square Law Firm, PC. All rights reserved.

  • Blogger Classic
  • LinkedIn Classic
  • Facebook Classic
  • Google Classic
  • Twitter Classic

DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this site, submitting a case to us, and/or discussing your case with us does NOT create an attorney-client relationship. Only an executed engagement letter will create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until an attorney-client relationship has been established by engaging the firm for a paid consultation. Please note the case result is not a warranty or guarantee of any outcome for any case, as every case is different. There are many risks in lawsuits, and the outcomes are rarely certain.

  • Home

  • Why Us

  • Testimonials

  • FAQs

  • Areas of Practice

  • Employee Resources

  • Contact Us

  • More

    Los Angeles Employment Law Firm

    |

    Attorney Login

    |

    Free  Evaluation

    Get Started

    Highest State Minimum Wage Proposed in California

    February 11, 2014

    In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama urged legislators to take charge in pushing minimum wage increases through Congress. California State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) took the request to heart, as he introduced a state bill on February 3, 2014 that would make California’s minimum wage the highest of any state if passed.

     

    Currently, a law is in place that will raise the state minimum wage from $8.00 per hour to $9.00 per hour in July 2014, then again to $10 per hour in 2016. There is no provision in the current law for further annual increases based on inflation after 2016. Sen. Leno’s proposed bill would step up the wage increase as follows:

     

    • $11.00 per hour in 2015;

    • $12.00 per hour in 2016;

    • $13.00 per hour in 2017;

    • Annual adjustments tied to inflation starting in 2018.

     

    While the bill is expected to garner some opposition, Leno defends the aggressive increases by citing the high cost of living in California. He stated that the federal minimum wage is simply a starting point, and state legislators should identify the needs of residents of their state and adjust the state minimum wage accordingly.

     

    Current California Minimum Wage
     

    Residents working 40-hour weeks at the existing state minimum wage of $8.00 per hour take home $16,640 annually, before taxes. The poverty line in California for a four-person family with one wage earner is $23,850. According to the United States census, this wage discrepancy puts approximately 24 percent of California residents under the poverty level despite working full-time jobs.

     

    State Senator Leno owns his own company and pays his workers a minimum of $16 per hour. Leno states that paying higher wages reduces turnaround and increases employee productivity. He stated there is no excuse for companies making high corporate profits while some of their full-time employees need food stamps and other government assistance to survive.

     

    Earlier this year, 600 prominent economists from the Economic Policy Institute signed a letter to federal lawmakers urging them to pass a federal minimum wage of $10.10 per hour. These economists assert that raising the minimum wage will bring many families out of poverty, thereby reducing the need for government public assistance and increasing spending by consumers. Recently, some conservative politicians and entrepreneurs in California have jumped on board, demonstrating support for a minimum wage increase and reduction in poverty.

     

    Though the $13 per hour proposal would be the highest state minimum wage in the United States, it will still not be the highest local minimum wage. Last year, the city of SeaTac, Washington raised its minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. Furthermore, Los Angeles legislators have a bill on the table to raise wages for hotel workers to $15.37 per hour, which would be the highest in the country. San Francisco has the highest minimum wage in California, currently at $10.55 per hour.

     

    Everyone deserves to be adequately paid for their work. If you believe your employer is violating wage and hour laws, call the Pershing Square Law Firm today for help.

    Tags:

    highest state minimum wage proposed in california

    Please reload

    Social Media Posts Can Have Employment Consequences

    September 8, 2015

    Can an Employer Check a Job Applicant’s Credit?

    September 8, 2015

    Are You in Compliance With the New California Sick Leave Law?

    July 28, 2015

    California Employees Will Receive Greater Protection From Retaliation

    July 28, 2015

    Take Legal Action in the Event of Workplace Discrimination

    June 22, 2015

    Can My Employer Monitor My Internet Activity?

    June 22, 2015

    How to Stop Harassment at Work

    June 10, 2015

    Please reload