A proposed California measure to raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 by 2026 has fallen just short of the votes needed to pass, according to projections from The Associated Press. Despite the setback, Proposition 32 has sparked significant momentum for future wage advocacy. With 49.5% of votes in favor, the measure highlights growing public support for fair wages amid California’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Joe Sanberg, a key proponent of the initiative, remains optimistic: “The fight for higher wages and economic dignity doesn’t end here,” he said, emphasizing continued efforts to secure fair wages for all workers.
The initiative, which would have impacted employers depending on their size, failed in a narrow defeat, underscoring growing calls for wage reform.