economy
California announces minimum wage increase as governor taunts Trump
Gavin Newsom says new pay floor of $17.40, set to become highest of any US state, will go into effect on 1 January
TL;DR
- California's minimum wage will rise to $17.40 per hour starting January 1, 2025.
- This new rate will be the highest state minimum wage in the U.S.
- Governor Gavin Newsom criticized former President Donald Trump and Republicans for blocking federal minimum wage increases.
- The federal minimum wage has not been increased since George W. Bush's presidency.
- Thirty states and Washington D.C. currently have minimum wages above the federal rate of $7.25.
- California's minimum wage has increased from $12 since Governor Newsom took office in 2019.
- Researchers estimate that two working adults in California need to earn $36.38 per hour each to cover basic living expenses for a family of four.