Fast Food Council Holds First Meeting, Discusses Exemptions to New Wage Law 

An attorney with the California Labor Commission earlier this month clarified a controversy surrounding California Gov. Gavin Newsom and a franchisee of Panera Bread, regarding if his fast-casual restaurants are exempt from the state’s new $20 an hour wage law for employees. At issue is an amendment added at the last minute to the minimum wage law in question—Assembly Bill 1228 set to take effect April 1—exempting bakeries. Bloomberg published a story last month suggesting donations to Mr. Newsom from Greg Flynn, who owns 24 Panera Bread locations in California, had something to do with the late carveout. But Miles Locker, an attorney for the state’s labor commissioner, confirmed March 15— during the first meeting of a fast food council created as part of the law—dough made for Panera is produced off site, and therefore it is not a bakery exempt from the law....