California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state's minimum wage will jump to $17.40 per hour beginning on January 1.

The Details: The increase is part of an existing California law signed in 2016 that increases the minimum wage every year to keep up with inflation. Newsom, a Democrat who is expected to run for president in 2028, said, "For years, Donald Trump and Republicans have blocked efforts to raise the federal minimum wage while handing tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations. California has chosen a different path – one that rewards work, grows the economy, and puts working families first. We believe if you work hard, you deserve a decent paycheck. They think $7.25 an hour is enough. We don't."

From the Left: The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left bias) said in its news coverage that "researchers have been split on the economic impacts of the pay increase for fast-food workers" and cited a CalMatters (Center) article from February 2025 that highlighted conflicting studies. It also noted that in 2019, the Pew Research Center (Center) found that two-thirds of Americans supported raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, though it used the word "support" in the present tense. It added, "A deep partisan split over the issue remains."

From the Right: In its news coverage, The New York Post (Right) noted that Newsom and "fellow state Democrats" have pushed for higher wages for fast food workers, which The Post said, "reportedly has devastated some companies." It ended its coverage with a critical comment from a researcher at a conservative think tank. The Post's Editorial Board from its California section also published an opinion that said the wage raise will affect "very few" workers and that the state "needs to get real about the reasons the cost of living keeps rising, and stop using gimmicks that just make the problem worse."

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