Emil Davtyan, Todd B. Scherwin and Carney R. Shegerian Share Insights on Labor & Employment Law

For the first time in decades, voters rejected an effort to raise the minimum wage in California. The ballot measure would have increased the state’s minimum wage from $16 to $18 per hour by the year 2026. If passed, it would have been the highest minimum wage in the nation. Currently, the state’s minimum wage for all workers is $16 per hour. Fast food workers in the state now make $20 per hour. Healthcare workers will see their minimum wage rising to $25/hour over the next decade, thanks to a law Governor Newsom signed in 2023.

People who leave prison deserve a fair chance to become productive citizens, and gainful employment is one of the best ways to rebuild a normal life. After all, someone with and without conviction history must support themselves and their families with a regular income. Working also helps those with conviction histories re-establish and strengthen their ties with the community. Each of these reduces recidivism and improves mental health.

Freelance workers provide valuable goods and services to both small and large businesses. A study by Upwork found that 64 million people in the United States, or about 38 percent of the workforce, performed freelance work in 2023. These workers added about $1.27 trillion in annual earnings to the economy.