California $20 Fast Food Wage Sparks Backlash

Advertisement “Newsom’s $20 wage has turned out to be nothing more than a boost to

Advertisement “Newsom’s $20 wage has turned out to be nothing more than a boost to his own ego at the expense of fast-food workers,” said EPI research director Rebekah Paxton. “His consistent claim that the law is a ‘win’ is out of touch with reality, and lawmakers looking to mirror his job-crushing policies should think twice.”

Advertisement The pain has spread beyond workers. Consumers are paying more, too. Menu price data from Datassential show fast-food prices in California climbed more than 13% after April 2024, nearly double the average increase in the rest of the country. Families already stretched by inflation now face higher bills for basic meals.