Senate Hopeful Stuns with Outlandish Minimum Wage Proposal

Steve Garvey, former Dodgers first baseman, and current California Senate candidate debated Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee, three Democrats currently serving in Congress.

Barbara Lee, during the debate, made a ridiculous comment regarding the minimum wage. She said that it should be $50 per hour. Christina Pascucci, a former journalist for a local TV station and Democrat opponent, criticized Barbara Lee’s comment.

During the Democratic primary for 2020, there was a debate about a federal minimum wage of $15. Lee now says that California’s minimum wage should be at least $50 because of how expensive it has become. She did not mention that the CA Assembly, State Senate, and Governor all are Democrats. This is the outcome of a one-party rule in a state which used to be moderate and balanced when it comes to policy.

Many small businesses would find it difficult to survive if the minimum wage was raised to $50. Raising the minimum wage does not solve California’s housing problem. A shortage of housing inventory is a problem in California, which is exacerbated by the fact that developers are avoiding new projects because of red tape and bureaucratic obstacles. Experts predict that despite falling interest rates, there will be no significant decline below five percent within the next few years.

While interest rates may be higher today than they were a few short years ago, investors and buyers are still buying and renting properties. They are often willing to pay more than the list price. As long as interest rates are high and inventories remain low, this issue will persist. If these issues aren’t addressed, it won’t change, regardless of the minimum wage, even though workers may be replaced or businesses could leave.

In the Senate race, Lee faces Schiff, who, we all know, has lied to more than 300 million Americans. Her proposal for a minimum wage is, to put it mildly, unrealistic. She has been a strong anti-war voice in Congress, and she knows how it is to be poor with two children. She also struggled with homelessness in her youth but has overcome it.

Some California Republicans suggest voting for Porter or Lee in place of Garvey to prevent Schiff from winning the Senate during the general elections. Schiff is currently leading the polls, but Porter and Garvey are tied at second place with 15 percent each.

In California, the number of registered Democrats is equal to that of registered Republicans and Independents. Some have said that even though Garvey is likely to finish in the top 2, voting for Porter will deny Schiff victory. Schiff may be fearing a loss in the general elections if Porter is in the top 2. This could explain why he keeps running ads to boost Garvey. Some California Republicans will be thinking about this as they go to the polls in March.

Lee’s proposal on minimum wage will not be accepted by moderate Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, nor by Republicans in Congress.