UC Santa Cruz Economics Lecturer Stephen Owen

$25 Federal Minimum Wage to Cost 5 Million Jobs, New Report Finds

August 20, 2026 11:28 amAugust 20, 2026 12:02 pm

The majority of research over three decades finds minimum wage increases reduce employment. Just look at California’s $20 per hour fast food minimum wage. In addition to the latest news that Kentucky Fried Chicken has permanently closed 44 restaurants across...

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...