Ben Bergman
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- Milken Institute57 min
2016 CA Summit - Gains and Pains: The Cost of Providing Californians a Living Wage
Ben Bergman, Ross DeVol, Rusty Hicks, Ken Jacobs, Roxana Tynan
California's mandate to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023 will directly benefit 6.4 million workers, primarily adults and college-educated breadwinners earning below the bottom 30% of the wage distribution. While experts like Russ Duvall warn of regional cost disparities and potential business relocation, economists such as Ken Jacobs argue that increased consumer spending and reduced turnover will balance higher prices to maintain overall employment levels. The event further underscores that wage hikes alone are insufficient for housing affordability, advocating for integrated solutions like expanded Career Technical Education and updated housing policies to address long-term economic inequality.
- Milken Institute1h 33m
Building a 21st Century Workforce and Market – What’s the Solution? (KPCC Forum Series)
Matt Horton, John Cohn, Ben Bergman, Kevin Clowden, Vontone Quinlevin, Jessica Goodhart, Russell Ragsdale
Presenters analyze California's severe economic challenges, including a 5.9% unemployment rate and housing unaffordability, alongside a critical workforce shortage driven by the decoupling of productivity and employment numbers. In response, local utilities like Southern California Edison and community colleges are piloting "earn while you learn" programs and expanding Career Technical Education to fill high-paying middle-skill roles in sectors ranging from solar energy to advanced manufacturing. The discussion concludes that future regional competitiveness depends on shifting toward a continuous retraining economy supported by micro-credentials and targeted government procurement to sustain local employment growth.