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California Prop 32 aims to raise minimum wage – NBC Los Angeles

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California Prop 32 aims to raise minimum wage – NBC Los Angeles


This November, California voters will decide whether to gradually increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour.

Prop 32 is one of 10 statewide ballot proposition that will be left up to voters in the Nov. 5 election. Here’s what to know about the measure that would increase the state’s minimum wage from the current $16 per hour.

Here’s what Prop 32 would do if passed

  • Businesses with 26 or more employees would need to raise wages to $17 an hour for the remainder of the year, and to $18 an hour on Jan. 1.
  • Businesses with 25 or fewer employees would be required to raise wages to $17 on Jan. 1, and $18 an hour on Jan. 1, 2026. 

If favorably voted on, California will have the highest statewide minimum wage in the country. It would put approximately $3,000 extra per year in the pockets of 2 million workers who have yet to benefit from industry specific raises.  

Who’s supporting Prop 32?

  • Joe Sanberg. The millionaire startup-investor turned anti-poverty-advocate first started his $18 an hour campaign in 2021. Sanberg has poured $10 million into raising the signatures needed to put this prop on the ballot but missed a key deadline last year, bouncing prop 32 to this year instead. In an interview with NBC, Sanberg said, “My mom raised me by herself in Southern California. We lost our home to foreclosure when I was a teenager, and my mom worked as hard as a mom could work and raise me and my brother to the best of her abilities.”
  • California Labor Federation
  • Unite Here
  • One Fair Wage
  • Working Families Party California
  • California Democratic Party
  • League of Women Voters of California

Who’s opposing Prop 32?

  • California Chamber of Commerce
  • California Restaurant Association
  • California Grocers Association
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

The prop has garnered heavy pushback from the state and business groups who fear disproportionate effects on local businesses. They argue a raise in wages would lead to a direct raise in consumer prices, making it harder for local businesses to keep their doors open among other rising costs. Job loss is another concern, however, according to the California Legislature’s nonprofit fiscal and policy advisor, it is estimated to change just one-quarter of 1 percent if passed. Other advocacy groups are pushing an unsystematic piecemeal strategy instead, or a series of smaller increases tailored to a specific area, rather than a uniform statewide hike. 

California became the first state in the nation to approve a $15 statewide minimum wage. Just last year Californians also raised fast food wages to a minimum $20 an hour, and medical staff to $25. But many say it’s still not enough. According to the MIT living wage calculator, single childless adults living in even the cheapest areas of the state need to make at least $20 an hour to live comfortably. According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the annual cost of living in the state is a little over $53,000. The current minimum wage comes to about $33,000, according to the Los Angeles Times. Major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and San Jose often cost far more. Almost 40 California cities already mandate minimum wages over the state’s minimum, and six have already reached $18 an hour.  

Thus far, supporters have raised a little over $600,000, while those opposing have raised $65,000. 



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Man killed in LA Metro bus hijacking was going home from work at Dodger Stadium – NBC Los Angeles

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September 27, 2024

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Man killed in LA Metro bus hijacking was going home from work at Dodger Stadium – NBC Los Angeles


The mother and family of the man murdered during the hijacking of an LA Metro bus told NBC4’s I-Team they’re devastated by his death and want to make sure no one else using public transit becomes the victim of violence.

“I just want justice for my boy,” said Teresa Flores, the mother of 48-year-old Anthony Rivera, who died early Wednesday after he was shot during the bus takeover, pursuit, and standoff.

Flores said her son, who was riding the Metro bus to commute home, was a generous person who often put others’ needs ahead of his own.“Very friendly, very giving,” she said. 

“If he had his last dollar he would give it to you.”

She said police told the family Rivera had offered his property to the gunman who’d hijacked the bus.

“’Whatever you want, I have it here,’” Flores said, “and the man just turned around and shot him.”

The family said Rivera had served in the California National Guard and was working as a parking attendant at Dodger Stadium.

“He doesn’t make enough money to support a vehicle to get back and forth, he hasn’t for a while,” Rivera’s cousin Sarah Beck said.

“He was just doing everything he can to not have to rely on people giving him rides here and there.”

She said it’s unacceptable that people like Rivera, who depend on public transit, are so vulnerable to violence.

“We need change, and we understand that bus drivers need safety, we understand that, and thank goodness that they have that safety in place, but what about the passengers?,” she asked.

The LAPD said Rivera was fatally wounded during the ordeal and died at a hospital after SWAT officers stormed the bus and arrested the hijacker.

Police said 51-year-old Lamont A. Campbell was booked on suspicion of murder and was being held in jail without bail.

Campbell was expected to make an initial court appearance Monday.



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Shohei Ohtani launches 54th homer, steals 57th base as NL West-champion Dodgers power by Rockies 11-4 – NBC Los Angeles

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19 hours ago

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September 27, 2024

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Shohei Ohtani launches 54th homer, steals 57th base as NL West-champion Dodgers power by Rockies 11-4 – NBC Los Angeles


Shohei Ohtani hit his 54th homer of the season, a towering three-run shot, after stealing his 57th base earlier in the game and the NL West-champion Los Angeles Dodgers powered past the Colorado Rockies 11-4 on Friday night.

The Dodgers designated hitter finished 4 of 5, which also included a pair of singles and a double, and drove in four runs. He now has 24 hits over his last 34 at-bats.

Ohtani is making a serious charge at a Triple Crown, leading the NL in homers (54) and RBIs (130). He raised his average to .309 to trail only Luis Arráez (.312 entering Friday) in the batting title race.

With his swipe of second base in the second inning, Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player. Ohtani was wearing spikes featuring a picture of his dog, Decoy.

Ohtani’s three-run blast in the sixth inning landed in the second deck at Coors Field. It was a no-doubter at the crack of the bat, with the sellout crowd instantly erupting, an early show before the fireworks display that awaited after the game.

His 408 total bases this season are second-most in franchise history. Babe Herman set the record of 416 in 1930.

Teoscar Hernández got things started for Los Angeles with a two-run homer in the first.

Andy Pages also homered for the Dodgers, who arrived in town fresh off clinching their third straight division title Thursday. The Dodgers moved two games up on the Philadelphia Phillies for the top seed in the NL.

Ben Casparius (2-0) picked up the win for Los Angeles, going 4 1/3 innings, in a game where the Dodgers started reliever Ryan Brasier.

Cal Quantrill (8-11) struggled against the Dodgers’ potent lineup, allowing six runs and two homers over 3 1/3 innings.

The Rockies have now dropped 99 games this season. At 61-99, they need to win their final two games to avoid back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

It was a fortunate coincidence the second-base bag needed to be replaced as Charlie Blackmon stepped up to the plate in the first inning. The switch allowed his walk-up song “Your Love” by The Outfield to play a little bit longer. The designated hitter/outfielder known for his bushy beard announced Monday he’s retiring after 14 seasons — all with the Rockies.

The organization will honor him before Sunday’s season finale. Blackmon had a single and two walks Friday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: 1B Freddie Freeman didn’t make the trip to Colorado so he could rest a sore ankle. Freeman was on crutches and in a walking boot after leaving Thursday’s game. The Dodgers also left SS Miguel Rojas at home due to a torn adductor.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers will send righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.96 ERA) to the mound Saturday night. The Rockies counter with righty Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 3.38).





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South LA community advocates for improvements at Wetlands Park – NBC Los Angeles

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21 hours ago

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September 27, 2024

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South LA community advocates for improvements at Wetlands Park – NBC Los Angeles


Safety and sanitation improvements are headed to a popular park in South LA after community members say they have been asking city leaders to make needed changes.

The South LA Wetlands Park is north of Slauson Avenue between San Pedro Street and Avalon Boulevard, just east of the 110 Freeway.

More than 500 people signed a petition circulating online asking officials to install proper restrooms at the park, enhance security measures and improve the quality of the water of the wetlands for the animals.

Victor Vasquez, who organized the petition, said the park has been neglected for many years.

“When it opened, it was a new green space in the inner city, something that’s rare to come by,” said Vasquez.

Adriana Cabrera, the president of the Central Alameda Neighborhood Council, wrote a letter to Mayor Karen Bass’ office as well.

“A lot of us struggle with health problems because we don’t have access to green spaces,” said Cabrera. ” We don’t even have safe spaces where we can walk our dogs.”

Another big concern for community members is lighting. People were spotted at a local South LA park participating in recreational activities in complete darkness.

There is also a large, abandoned building on the park property. City Councilmember Curren Price’s office says the structure was once a bus yard with “historical significance.” A spokesperson says it is one of the oldest tilt-up buildings in the city and has asbestos inside.

The Office of Councilmember Price and the Department of Recreation and Parks are now being tasked to create a master plan for the wetlands, including the old structure.



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