Opponents say California minimum wage proposition has been defeated

Opponents of a ballot initiative that would raise California’s minimum wage from $16 to $18 an hour are declaring victory.

With 94% of the votes counted as of Tuesday, Yes on Proposition 32 was trailing by 245,000 votes, with less than 800,000 votes left to be counted.

In a statement, backers of the No on Prop 32 campaign said the margin was too wide to overcome and declared the controversial measure defeated.

“We are encouraged that California voters rejected this proposal that would have further driven California’s out-of-control cost of living crisis,” said Jot Condie, President and CEO of the California Restaurant Association. “Voters know who pays for wage mandates like Proposition 32 – they do. They’re sick of the high cost of living and they are clearly associating California’s laws and mandates as significant contributors. In a word, they are saying ‘enough.’”

California voters were asked to consider the statewide measure seven months after a law boosting the minimum wage for fast-food restaurant employees from $16 to $20 an hour took effect.

Trade groups have derided the law, saying California franchisees have been forced to raise menu prices, cut employee hours, and eliminate jobs – although Bureau of Labor statistics have shown no significant movement in fast food industry employment.

About 40 California cities and counties already have minimum wages higher than the statewide rate, and six of them require minimums above $18 per hour as of this year.

Despite the gap in votes, proponents of Prop 32 are not yet willing to concede defeat, and the Associated Press has not yet called the contest.

“As the last 25 years have taught us, it’s unwise to declare victory prematurely,” Yes on Prop 32 spokesperson Angelo Greco told Cal Matters. “When the Associated Press, which we all can regard as independent minded, declares an outcome of Prop. 32, then we will assess.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Opponents of a ballot initiative that would raise California’s minimum wage from $16 to $18 an hour are declaring victory. With 94% of the votes counted as of Tuesday, Yes on Proposition 32 was trailing by 245,000 votes, with less than 800,000 votes left to be counted. In a statement, backers of the No on […]