$15 minimum wage deal lacks transparency and input from small business
SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 1, 2016 – Following the expedited legislative passage of Senate Bill 3 (Leno), which raises the state minimum wage to $15 per hour, NFIB strongly urges Governor Brown to veto this legislation.
“There is no question that a $15 minimum wage would have devastating impacts on small businesses in California. Over 90% of our 22,000 small businesses across the state have told us in no uncertain terms that an increase in the minimum wage will negatively affect their ability to operate, and potentially put them at risk of closing their doors permanently,” said NFIB/CA State Executive Director Tom Scott. “Ignoring the voices and concerns of the vast majority of job creators in this state is deeply concerning and illustrates why many feel Sacramento is broken.”
“Transparency matters. Thorough legislative analysis matters. Senate Bill 3 has made a mockery of the legislative process, being crafted in the dark and jammed through the Legislature in under 48 hours. Just one committee hearing is nowhere near sufficient to fully analyze and vet such sweeping state public policy. NFIB and our 22,000 members are actively urging Governor Brown to veto Senate Bill 3.”
Governor Brown, big labor, and Democratic legislative leadership privately crafted the deal reflected in Senate Bill 3 with no input or perspective from small business organizations. Since minimum wage is one of the most significant public policies affecting small businesses, it is troubling their voices fell on deaf ears with the majority party in the Legislature. It is our hope the Governor can return SB 3 without his signature so that there can be a more open, transparent discussion with input from all affected parties.
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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB has 350,000 dues-paying members nationally, with over 22,000 in California. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America's economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. To learn more visit www.NFIB.com/california
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