The Latest: California minimum wage hike passes committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on the proposal to raise California's minimum wage (all times local):
12:15 p.m.
A California Assembly panel has given preliminary approval to raising the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.
Members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 12-7 Wednesday to advance the agreement between Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and labor unions.
It could be considered by the full Assembly as soon as Thursday.
Supporters say the raises would benefit more than 2 million Californians earning minimum wage. Business owners and some economists are concerned it would prompt layoffs and cause price increases that would outweigh the benefits.
A legislative analysis says raising the minimum wage to the nation's highest statewide level would eventually cost taxpayers $3.6 billion a year in higher pay for government employees.
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A legislative analysis says raising the minimum wage in California to the highest statewide level in the nation would eventually cost taxpayers an additional $3.6 billion a year in higher pay for government employees.
The estimate was released Wednesday as an Assembly committee considers boosting the entry-level wage to $15 an hour by 2022.
The full Assembly and Senate could consider the agreement between Gov. Jerry Brown, labor unions and Democratic legislative leaders as early as Thursday.
The financial projection does not examine the broader economic impact that the proposal would have on the state's private businesses.
Supporters say the raises would lift the estimated 2.2 million Californians earning minimum wage out of poverty.
Business leaders and economists are concerned it would prompt layoffs and other unintended consequences.