Voters in California have narrowly rejected a ballot measure that would have gradually increased the minimum wage in the state to $18 per hour, NBC News projected Wednesday.
It’s the first time a ballot measure proposing to raise the statewide minimum wage has failed nationwide since 1996.
Some cities within New York also implement a minimum wage of $16 per hour, while Washington state’s minimum wage is $16.26 per hour.
The defeat is the first time in 28 years that a ballot measure to increase a state minimum wage was defeated.
Meanwhile, ballot measures in two other states to increase the minimum wage overwhelmingly passed this month.
Persons:
It’s, “ CalChamber, Jennifer Barrera, Gavin Newsom, Newsom
Organizations:
NBC News, U.S, California Chamber of Commerce, Democratic Gov, Washington, Voters, NBC
Locations:
California, New York, Missouri, Montana, Alaska