Should California's expensive regions consider increasing the minimum wage to $15.00/hour? (Huntington Beach: 2014, how much)

[eccotecc]

Seattle's city council approved a minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour. Should California's minimum wage be increased based on the average regional cost of living? The state has already increased the minimum wage by a substantial percentage, but does this go far enough to offset the cost to live in many of the states regions? The links may provide some information.

Seattle City Council Approves Plan To Increase Min. Wage To $15/Hour

https://www.dir.ca.gov/iwc/MinimumWageHistory.htm

[dexter14]

Nope, its simple. If you can't afford an area, move to a cheaper area. Thats how we did it back in the day. I really didn't want to move from 4 blocks from the beach in Huntington Beach to a 40 foot mobile home in disgusting Desert Hot Springs back in 1994, but thats what happens if you don't make enough money. There are plenty of cities right here in CA where current minimum wage is enough to get by. People feel so entitled now, its pretty pathetic.

[shooting4life]

No, not unless you want to destroy every job where labor is valued less than $14.99

How much does someone who cannot find a job make in 1 hour?

[eccotecc]

mbell75,

I understand what you're saying, but unfortunately the honest jobs seem to be in the more expensive regions of the state. Why would a person move to a less expensive area if there isn't hope of finding employment?

[dexter14]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

mbell75,

I understand what you're saying, but unfortunately the honest jobs seem to be in the more expensive regions of the state. Why would a person move to a less expensive area if there isn't hope of finding employment?

Why would you stay in a state with the highest unemployment rates and some of the most expensive areas in the country? Thats a bad combination. You either find a way to make it work or you move to a cheaper area. Sick and tired of people with this victim mentality demanding everything be handed to them. I couldn't afford most of CA either and decided to do something about it. I quit my minimum wage job 7 years ago, started my own business with the last $500 to my name and and I can now afford to live pretty much wherever I'd like. Cant afford to live on minimum wage? Go find a way to better yourself and make more money or go live where you can afford it. Its simple.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by mbell75

Why would you stay in a state with the highest unemployment rates and some of the most expensive areas in the country? Thats a bad combination. You either find a way to make it work or you move to a cheaper area. Sick and tired of people with this victim mentality demanding everything be handed to them. I couldn't afford most of CA either and decided to do something about it. I quit my minimum wage job 7 years ago, started my own business with the last $500 to my name and and I can now afford to live pretty much wherever I'd like. Cant afford to live on minimum wage? Go find a way to better yourself and make more money or go live where you can afford it. Its simple.

Basically, I agree with this. () Except for the inference that earning minimum wage means being a lesser person. Lots of really fine, intelligent, and skilled, highly educated people are limited to minimum wage - or accept it. Lots of people in the arts, for instance. "Bettering" one's self isn't about making more money.

[Hemlock140]

We really won't know the effect for 5-7 years, when they actually start paying $15, since the law as passed is gradual with exceptions.

[Bill the Butcher]

Let's see how Seattle pans out first.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

No, not unless you want to destroy every job where labor is valued less than $14.99

How much does someone who cannot find a job make in 1 hour?

It would have a horrible effect on the city, if it were confined to one city or another.

Minimum wage jobs are not meant to be head of household jobs. It happens, but they are starter or stepping stone jobs.
Another key point made to me by my electrician is that those $15/hour no skill beginner jobs are going to have a major trickle up effect. If you have a skilled early career electrician making $18/hour he will not stand by when you hire non-skilled help at $15. The skilled labor will then demand $25/hr and rightfully so. If you were an employer like that, would you not just move outside the city limits?

[eccotecc]

I'm just wondering if an increase in minimum wage will be a benefit to entry level workers since the increase in the cost of business will ultimately be passed on to the consumer. Is there an economic benefit if prices rise because of the increase in wages?