UC Santa Cruz Economics Lecturer Stephen Owen

Gov. Newsom Touts Misleading UC Berkeley Study on California’s $20 Fast Food Wage

April 8, 2026 3:10 pmApril 8, 2026 3:20 pm

California has such an absurdly high cost of living that some misguided lawmakers think increasing the minimum wage will offset nearly $1 million median home prices, $7.00-per-gallon gas prices, and $500 – $1,000 monthly electricity bills. The minimum wage was...

California’s Fast Food Minimum Wage Continues to Bite Workers, Consumers and Owners

March 20, 2026 4:40 amMarch 20, 2026 4:41 am

California is reaching a grim two-year anniversary of the ill-advised $20 fast food minimum wage. AB 1228, California’s $20 wage law for fast food workers, cost non-tipped restaurant workers 250 hours of work annually, equating to up to 7 weeks...