Los Angeles debates $30 an hour minimum wage

Photo above - Los Angeles is debating a $30 minimum wage, on the theory that it could end homelessness in time for their 2028 summer Olympic games.

What is today’s minimum wage in California? Glad you asked. Even AI can’t figure it out. Statewide, the minimum was increased to $16.50 in August this year. It’s going up again on January first. But governor Newsom, looking ahead to the 2028 presidential race, leapfrogged the legislature and raised the wages for fast food workers to $20. And for health care workers to $25. (see link below)

I’m okay with all of this. Even the $30 minimum wage about to happen in Los Angeles. States, counties, and municipalities should control their own minimum wage laws. Not the federal government. If Los Angeles thinks someone needs $30 a month to afford a one bedroom apartment, and shouldn’t have to share a 2BR with someone else, who am I to argue with local politicians.

Well, actually the local politicians DON’T want $30 an hour. Or actually, residents and business owners don’t want it. A petition to put $30 on the ballot for a referendum got little support. Unions and labor leaders are focused laser-like on this increase. They want $30 in place before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Ka-ching!

This timing certainly helps bring the debate into focus. It’s about using Olympics visitors – both International and from the other 49 states, as an excuse to nearly double the minimum wage.

I’m not going to get trolled into a debate about who’s more likely to rip off Olympics visitors in 2028: hotels with sky high prices, AirBnb with sky high prices, or VRBO. Attending the Olympics is always for millionaires only.

The only thing I'm confident of is that none of this windfall is going to reach California's fentanyl addicts, homeless tent campers, or ordinary workers crushed by electricity and gasoline bills.

The bullet train between Los Angeles and gambling mecca Las Vegas certainly won’t be ready by 2028 either. Voters DID authorize that boondoggle in 2008. Now It’s 17 years later, and still nowhere near completion. Apparently, the problem is something about the Federal Government should pay for it, instead of the actual riders.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

California's minimum wage is increasing in 2026. Here's how much- CalMatters

California High-Speed Rail - Wikipedia

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

Well CA needs it. Servants quarters have been making a comeback for a decade now because the "help" can no longer afford anywhere need their workplace.

And $30 is not that bad. If the US minimum wage kept up to the same purchase power it had in the 70s it would already be aroun $25/hr.

As it is it is sad that the national minimum wage is lower than that of the poorest Canadian province.

Fight for $15 was a lowball even back in 2016.

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow OJ Simpson's "pool boy" (kato kaelin) evidently got to live rent free in the "pool house". not sure if he was paid for any official duties, other than scoring drugs for OJ.

same thing with Matthew perry. He had a bunch of hangers-on at his residence.

Thevy29 · 41-45, M

If minimum wages goes up. So does everything else and you'll be right back where you started. Hopefully that doesn't happen till these poor people are able to get a leg up.