State Politics
The new minimum wage in California
On April 1, 2024, California’s new minimum wage law took effect. In accordance with this law, fast food restaurant workers should be paid at least $20 per hour.
Supporters of the new law say that it would expand the fast food workforce by incentivizing people with the new minimum wage. The enforcement of the law was supposed to help the residents of California, one of the most expensive states to live in.
It would prove to be even more helpful since Californians face an overwhelmingly increasing price of goods and services. Since 2020, the costs of food and services have increased by 20%, according to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Those who do not support the law say that high minimum wages would disincentivize employers from hiring new workers. Instead, the workers would be replaced by self-ordering kiosks, which would cost the restaurant less in the long run. This may lead to job displacement and increased automation.
Another concern is that the new minimum wage may lead to a shortage of cafeteria workers in public schools. Public schools may lose their underpaid food service workers to the fast food industry, failing to provide students with essential food services.
The implementation of California’s new minimum wage has raised controversies over its influence on the fast food industry. The debates highlight the underlying question, “Does a higher minimum wage improve or worsen employment?” Such labor policies continue to be challenged.
In a surprise move by the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Committee, Oklahoma City has been named the host of two events for the Olympic Games. Come Olympic season, OKC will be hosting the Olympic Canoe Slalom and Softball events, as Los Angeles does not have the necessary facilities locally.
LA28 stressed that the Oklahoma facilities were “built to international competition standards,” and that this move allowed the City of Los Angeles to save money on venues they would not continue to use after the Olympics.
Softball has a long tradition in Oklahoma City, which has hosted the Women’s College World Series every year except 1990. They already have these world class facilities in place, as well as an in-built and enthusiastic audience for the sport.
Oklahoma City also recently completed construction on Riversport Rapids, a world class canoeing and kayaking facility, in 2016. They currently offer consumer rafting experiences as well as training facilities for athletes. In preparation for the Olympics, they will also use it to host the Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2026.
While the plan is still awaiting approval from Los Angeles, LA28 has received approval from all relevant international bodies for the move. However it is unlikely that LA will deny the request considering the cost benefits laid out under the plan.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday that the infamous Rikers Island prison is “ready” to receive Former President Donald Trump. Trump is currently facing potential temporary incarceration following repeated violations of his gag order.
The judge overseeing Trump’s hush money trial, Judge Juan Merchan, made it clear on Monday that if the Former President continued to violate his gag order, he could be placed in jail. He called Trump’s repeated violations a “direct attack on the rule of law.”
Putting the Former President in jail could prove difficult for the New York City Department of Connection. Due to the high security required for his incarceration, the options could be very limited.
Despite Rikers Island’s poor reputation, city officials could be of the mind that they are best equipped to handle a prisoner of Donald Trump’s stature. Eric Adams told the media that “they’re professionals, they’ll be ready.”
Off the coast of Boca Raton, Florida, two teenagers were caught throwing heaps of trash into the ocean from their boat. The teenagers were partying on their speeding boat with their friends when they committed the offense. Wavy Boats, a social media account, first uploaded the viral video on April 30.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) led the investigation, which the Coast Guard and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection were also involved in. The FWC wanted to send a message that the state of Florida “doesn’t tolerate this” and wants to “protect [their] environment.”
According to a South Florida newspaper, after turning themselves in on Friday, the two teenagers (unnamed) face “felony third-degree charges of causing pollution so as to harm or injure human health or welfare, animal, plant, aquatic life or property, which amounts to $50,000 in fines or up to five years in prison.”