More Exemptions for California’s Fast Food Minimum Wage Law Awaiting Newsom’s Signature

With controversy surrounding exemptions granted to certain restaurants regarding the state’s new fast food minimum wage law, lawmakers passed another bill March 18 that will grant more exemptions if California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the measure into law. At issue is Assembly Bill 610 which would exempt restaurants located in certain venues—including theme parks, airports, and stadiums, among others—from the $20 per hour minimum wage set to take effect April 1. Assemblymember Chris Holden—author of the bill under consideration and the earlier proposal—Assembly Bill 1228, which was signed into law last year—looked to calm tensions lingering from pay-to-play allegations by some after a campaign donor to the governor was reported to be a beneficiary of a carveout in the law that exempts some bakeries....