President Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and spending cuts, pose a significant threat to low- and moderate-income families. These policies, coupled with Republican opposition to a minimum wage increase, are predicted to negatively impact household finances and potentially trigger a recession. A proposed bill, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, aims to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour by 2030, benefiting over 22 million workers. This action is presented as a necessary countermeasure to the economic hardships caused by the current administration’s agenda.
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President Trump rescinded President Biden’s executive order mandating a $17.75 minimum wage for federal contractors, reverting to a pre-2022 standard of $13.30 for existing contracts and the federal minimum wage ($7.25) or applicable state minimums for new ones. This action overturned a significant pay increase impacting roughly 20% of the U.S. workforce employed by federal contractors. The repeal also eliminated Biden’s pro-union and apprenticeship program incentives for federal contracts. This decision follows court rulings upholding Biden’s order, raising the possibility of future executive action by Trump to address other policy priorities.
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Walt Disney Co. settled a class-action lawsuit for $233 million, resolving claims of wage theft from over 50,000 current and former Disneyland employees. The settlement includes approximately $105 million in back pay owed since 2019, when Anaheim’s minimum wage law took effect, and additional penalties. The lawsuit alleged Disney violated the law by not adjusting wages accordingly, a claim initially dismissed but later overturned. A judge will review the settlement on January 17th, after which affected workers will receive notification of their payout.
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Bernie Sanders has defended his statement that the Democratic Party has “abandoned” working-class voters, despite criticism from Nancy Pelosi. Sanders argues that the party has not sufficiently addressed the economic struggles of working Americans, citing the failure to raise the minimum wage. He acknowledges President Biden’s efforts but insists that the broader economic reality demands more decisive action. Sanders rejects the notion that the Democrats’ issue lies solely with messaging, highlighting the need for concrete policy changes to address the economic anxieties of the working class. His remarks come amidst a blame game within the Democratic Party following the defeat of Kamala Harris in the election.
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Kamala Harris’s vow to double the federal minimum wage to $15 speaks volumes about the urgent need to address income disparities in America. For years, I’ve watched as the federal minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 an hour, a figure that feels as archaic as it is inadequate. It’s disheartening to think that 15 years have passed since this number was last increased, with the longest stretch of frozen wages since the minimum wage was established. Harris’s announcement isn’t just a political promise; it represents a lifeline for millions struggling to make ends meet in a rapidly changing economic landscape.… Continue reading
California fast food workers are now earning $20 per hour, but franchise owners are responding by cutting hours. This cycle of increasing wages and reducing hours seems to be the new norm in the fast-food industry. The logic behind this response is confusing; cutting hours means there are fewer employees working, which ultimately leads to a decrease in revenue. So, are these franchisees shooting themselves in the foot?
It’s important to note that the $20 minimum wage in California only affects chain restaurants with 60 or more locations, not all fast food workers in the state. However, stories of franchisees cutting hours for their staff have been making headlines.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker