Ethan Anderson
Assistant Editor
An important voter initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot, particularly for La Verne students working minimum-wage jobs, is Proposition 32, which would raise the statewide minimum wage from $16 to $18 per hour.
If approved by voters, the measure would require employers with 26 or more employees to begin paying at least $17 an hour immediately, and $18 an hour in 2025. Employers with fewer than 26 employees, will have a slightly delayed schedule: they would have to start paying $18 an hour by 2026.
From 2027 onward, Proposition 32 also presents a minimum wage increase to adjust with inflation, to maintain workers’ purchasing power as California’s cost of living increases.
“I work at Target, I have coworkers who are parents trying to support and feed their families,” said junior business administration major Harry Barnfather. “It could help a lot of demographics like immigrants, and non-college graduates.”
Supporters argue it will improve living conditions for minimum wage workers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck. With more money in Californian’s pockets, it will reduce the need for government assistance programs like Medi-Cal, supporters say.
“It would help me out financially: I’m a college student who pays bills, and goes out with friends and the girlfriend,” senior psychology major Jesse Muñoz said. “I know there are also families who rely on minimum wage work who would benefit even more.”
Data suggest that with higher wages, consumers spend more on the essentials, stimulating the local economy, and potentially creating jobs. Some economists say that higher wages lead to less turnover in minimum-wage jobs, which is also good for business.
Those opposed to raising the minimum wage, including some small business owners, argue that this measure could lead to layoffs.
Economist Christopher Thornberg argued in a recent OpEd in the Press Enterprise newspaper that raising the minimum wage has led to increased unemployment.
It can also lead to inflation, opponents of Proposition 32 argue.
Ethan Anderson can be reached at ethan.anderson@laverne.edu.
Ethan Anderson is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. He is the LV Life editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine. He has previously been a staff writer for the Campus Times. As a lifelong student-athlete, he has picked up valuable skills that he seeks to apply in his career in public relations, and ultimately make an impact.
