Quote:Minimum wages should be state driven. It makes no sense to have a federal minimum wage when COL is so drastically different across the country. 

 

$15 in NYC is much different than $15 in JAX

 

Bingo. (This is scary, I'm agreeing with a liberal on something).

 

The thing is, $15 per hour is not the same thing in a place like San Francisco or New York City as it is in Jacksonville or "small town U.S.A.".  The same can be said regarding the cost of doing business.

 

What I find interesting is how the article is so slanted and misleading in their coverage.

 

From the article

Quote: 

But the changes have come particularly fast to the liberal Bay Area, now known for the highest cost of living in the nation.

 
"It takes a lot of stress out of my life," said Don Fletcher, 50, who saw his wage as a security guard in Emeryville jump last month from $11.50 an hour to $14.44. Before, he added, "I had to make a lot of efforts to cut corners, acquiring food as cheaply as possible. And any expenses like car repairs would require several months of strategizing and saving."

 

One key point to remember, the cost of living in the Bay Area is the highest in the nation.  The LA Times is suggesting that an increase of $2.94 suddenly makes this guy no longer have to do what he says that he has to do.

 

Here is where the real truth regarding unintended consequences lies.

 

Again, from the article.

Quote: 

Gumper has also earned kudos from patrons for his innovation, but some have recoiled from paying $30 or more for a pizza. He has seen a 25% drop in sales over the last few months and has had to eliminate lunch hours at some locations.

 

Higher prices leads to a 25% drop in sales, and even though his employees now make more per hour, their hours are getting cut.

 

Regarding the "no gratuity" part of this particular business.  Again there is an example of how that's going to backfire.

 

From the article.

Quote: 

Nina Gates, 44, recently left a high-tipping bar job in San Francisco to move closer to her ailing mother in Oakland. She found "the smallest studio you've ever seen" for $1,400 a month. As a new server, she earns $16.25 per hour with a chance for bonuses based on sales. But she misses her cash tips and isn't coming close to her former pay.

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