California moving to increase minimum wage

The California Assembly has passed a measure that will increase the minimum wage in The Golden State. Wages would increase from $8 to $9.25 under this measure that is now moving on to the state Senate for consideration. UPI reports:

The bill’s author, Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, said higher wages would “allow our families to provide for their children, pay their bills and give them dignity and respect.”

The measure would increase to $8.25 an hour next year, $8.75 in 2015 and reach $9.25 by 2016. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.

The vote was 42-24. Only Assemblyman Ken Cooley, D-Rancho Cordova, crossed party lines in the vote.

The California Chamber of Commerce stated that this measure will be a “job killer,” and will prevent businesses from being able to afford to hire new employees.