SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In his recent address, Governor Gavin Newsom defended California’s new minimum wage law for fast food workers and underscored the state’s economic resilience. Newsom emphasized the importance of raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour, arguing it was crucial for ensuring fair wages for workers in one of the nation’s most profitable industries. “Raising the minimum wage is about equity and fairness,” Newsom stated. “Fast food workers deserve a living wage that reflects the cost of living in our state.”
This wage hike has faced criticism from businesses, which argue that it could lead to increased costs for customers. However, Newsom pointed to the financial success of fast food giants as evidence that they can absorb these costs. McDonald’s, for instance, reported a net income of $6.18 billion in 2022, while Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum! Brands, saw a net income of $1.58 billion. Burger King and Wendy’s also reported substantial profits, indicating the financial health of the industry.
Newsom also highlighted California’s robust economy, stating that if it were a country, it would rank as the fifth largest in the world. He mentioned that since 2019, California has added 63,000 new millionaires, underscoring the state’s economic vitality.
“Here is a simple question for Republicans: If California is a failed state, why are four of the seven most valuable companies in the world based here?” Newsom asked, referencing tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and the parent companies of Google and Facebook.
Addressing homelessness, Newsom pointed to the state’s active role in creating housing programs, which have provided 15,300 units of housing and sheltered over 71,000 people. Despite a state audit criticizing the effectiveness of the state’s homelessness spending, Newsom defended his administration’s efforts and commitment to addressing this issue.
On the topic of public safety, Newsom noted that California’s violent crime rate is about half of what it was at its peak in 1992. He mentioned the decrease in property crime in San Francisco and the overall crime rate reduction in Oakland, where 120 California Highway Patrol officers were recently deployed. “That’s because in California, we take public safety seriously — a problem to solve, not just to flog on cable news,” he said.
Newsom’s speech also took a political tone, contrasting Democratic ideals with what he described as the “poisonous populism of the right.” While he did not mention Donald Trump or Joe Biden by name, Newsom criticized some of Trump’s statements and presented Democrats’ values as a remedy for the country’s challenges.
California Republican state Sen. Kelly Seyarto responded critically, arguing that Newsom’s speech did not address the state’s significant issues such as homelessness and crime adequately.
“California remains the country’s homeless capital, businesses are closing their doors, and crime continues to rise. The state of this state is simply not good under Newsom’s leadership,” Seyarto said.
Governor Newsom’s address, prerecorded and posted on social media, marks a shift from traditional speeches, aiming to reach a broader audience in the digital age. As California continues to navigate its complex challenges, Newsom’s policies and their impacts will remain a focal point of both support and scrutiny.
