Rusty Hicks

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.