Judging by the way Univision reported on the new law, set to increase the minimum wage in California to $15 an hour, one would think an economic boom awaits California’s entry-level labor force.
In a television piece by Jaime Garcia, only commentary in favor of the newly approved state mandated wage hikes were given airtime. Predictably, union leaders, Democrat party lawmakers, leaders of progressive non-profits and the law’s advocates were showcased in the segment. Apparently, Garcia could not find one person in opposition to the law.
The lone objection came in form of a single statement by the reporter, Jaime Garcia, stating some businesses he spoke to argued it will costs jobs - an assertion immediately dismissed when Garcia highlighted a study done by the University of Berkley showed its effects will be neutral. Yes, were now to believe what liberal Berkley researchers have to say on the matter as opposed to what we’re seeing happen in areas that have increased wage salaries.
The entirely one-sided report in favor of the proposal made no mention of California’s recent struggles to keep their residents from leaving the state as a result of the job-choking regulations and taxes. According to IRS migration data, which uses individual income tax returns to record year-to-year address changes, it has seen over 250,000 residents move out of the state between 2013 and 2014, the latest period for which data was available
Detractors point out that increasing the cost of labor decreases demand for labor. The result is less job opportunities, increases in part-time work, business closures and a reduction in badly needed training opportunities for young minorities. Not to mention the fact that a 16-year-old working an entry level job flat out does not deserve to be paid $15 an hour to bag groceries.
Univision wrapped up the package segment with progressive representatives calling on other states to follow the efforts regarding the ill-advised wage mandates on the private sector that California has set in motion. Maybe that’s because they have just made themselves much less competitive in the marketplace. Research by The American Legislative Exchange Council showed California had the 4th highest tax burden in the country, and its top marginal income tax rate ranks last in the country.
The subject of raising the minimum wage is yet another example of the left-wing agenda that Univision routinely pushes, painting victories for the left as victories for Hispanics as a whole.
Hey Univision, speak for yourselves.
