SEIU to Place $15 Min. Wage on San Francisco Ballot

SEIU to Place $15 Min. Wage on San Francisco Ballot

by Joel B. Pollak 6 Apr 2014

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-California/2014/04/06/SEIU-Pushes-15-Minimum-Wage-on-S-F-Ballot

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the country's most powerful public sector unions, will file a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage in San Francisco to $15 per hour (from $10.74), which would make it the highest in the U.S. The SEIU wrote the "Minimum Wage Act of 2014," and is working with a group called the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Many local employers say that a large, sudden jump in the minimum wage would cause them to struggle to make payroll, or to stop hiring new employees. Some say there would be a "ladder effect," according to the Chronicle, requiring them to give raises to senior employees.

Though businesses with fewer than 100 employees would have a longer period in which to comply, they would have to make incremental increases right away.

There may be considerable public support for the law, despite its likely impact on employment. A recent poll by the Chronicle indicated that 59 percent of local voters support increasing the minimum wage to 15%.

The hike may also enjoy voter support because of public controversy over the rising cost of living in the city, which has pushed some workers and their families to distant suburbs, far from the city's job opportunities.

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in September 2013 to raise the state's minimum wage from $8 to $10 per hour by 2016. At 8.0%, California's unemployment rate remains one of the nation's highest, while it loses population to other states, particularly of families unable to find work or to afford the rising cost of living.

While liberal economists blame inequality, conservatives blame restrictive environmental and business codes.

San Francisco Chronicle

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Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank), the Economic Policy Institute, the Brookings Institution (think tank), and the Committee for Economic Development.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, and Gavin Newsom was invited to his 2013 wedding reception.

Gavin Newsom was an invited to George Soros 2013 wedding reception, San Francisco (CA) mayor, William A. Newsom’s son, and the lieutenant governor for the California state government.

Andrew L. Stern was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a director at the Economic Policy Institute, and the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Mary Kay Henry is a director at the Economic Policy Institute, and the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Bob Weir is a member of the Bohemian Club, and the founder of the Grateful Dead.

Mickey Hart was the drummer for the Grateful Dead, is a member of the Bohemian Club, and married to Caryl O. Hart.

Caryl O. Hart is married to Mickey Hart, and was the deputy public defender for San Francisco (CA).

William A. Newsom is Gavin Newsom’s father, and a St. Ignatius prep school (San Francisco) graduate.

Paul S. Otellini was a St. Ignatius prep school (San Francisco) graduate, and a member of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

Penny S. Pritzker was a member of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, the national finance chair, fundraiser for the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign, a co-chair for the 2009 Barack Obama inaugural committee, a fundraiser, national co-chair for the 2012 Barack Obama presidential campaign, a contributor for the 2013 Barack Obama inaugural committee, the host for the Barack Obama fund-raising dinner, 7/2/2008, and is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Kathleen Brown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, California governor Jerry Brown’s sister and was the California state government treasurer.

Jerry Brown is Kathleen Brown’s brother, the California state government governor, and Nancy E. McFadden is his executive secretary for legislation.

Nancy E. McFadden is Jerry Brown’s executive secretary for legislation, and a trustee at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Cyrus F. Freidheim Jr. is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Richard C. Blum is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), married to Senator Dianne Feinstein, an Economic Advisory Council member for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a regent at the University of California, and a board member for the Haas School of Business.

Dianne Feinstein is married to Richard C. Blum, a U.S. Senate senator, and was the San Francisco (CA) mayor.

Susan Desmond-Hellmann is an Economic Advisory Council member for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and the chancellor for the University of California San Francisco.

Robert D. Haas was an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and a board member for the Haas School of Business.

Douglas E. Goldman is a board member for the Haas School of Business, and was the medical director of emergency services for San Francisco (CA).

Haas School of Business is a business school at the University of California, Berkeley.

Janet L. Yellen is a professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, married to George A. Akerlof, and was the president & CEO for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Robert T. Parry was the president & CEO for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and is a director at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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Christina D. Romer is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, married to David H. Romer, was the council of economic advisers chairman for the Barack Obama administration, and a co-director, program in monetary economics for the National Bureau of Economic Research.

David H. Romer is married to Christina D. Romer, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and a co-director, program in monetary economics for the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Elizabeth E. Bailey is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and a director at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

William W. Lewis is a director at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a co-chairman for the Committee for Economic Development.

Kathleen B. Cooper is the chair for the National Bureau of Economic Research, and was a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development.

Peter G. Peterson is a director emeritus at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development.

George P. Shultz is a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, married to Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Charlotte Mailliard Shultz is married to George P. Shultz, and the chief protocol officer for San Francisco (CA).