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Economics

Sen. Leno Proposes Minimum Wage Hike

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Senator Mark Leno has introduced legislation designed to help lift California’s low-wage earners out of poverty.

Senate Bill 3 – to raise the state’s minimum wage to $11 an hour in 2016 and $13 in 2017 – comes on the heels of the passage of minimum wage ballot measures in four politically conservative states, Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

 

The bill is jointly authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva, D-Chino.

“Hard working, full-time employees across California are forced to live in poverty and rely on public assistance just to put food on the table for their families,” said Senator Leno, D-San Francisco.

Senator Mark Leno

Senator Mark Leno

“This income inequality crisis, which disproportionately impacts women and children, is detrimental to our communities and the economy,” he said. “It is time to accelerate the minimum wage and give low-income workers the respect they deserve for a job well done.”

California has the highest poverty rate in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly a quarter of the state’s 38 million residents live in poverty.

An employee working full-time earning $9 an hour brings home just $18,000 annually before taxes, which is just 75 percent of the federal poverty line for a family of four.

As a result, many cities have taken the matter into their own hands, raising local minimum wages either by government action or at the ballot box. Voters in San Francisco recently approved a gradual minimum wage hike that tops out at $15 in 2018, while Oakland voters approved a $12.25 minimum wage.

In addition, the City of Los Angeles has approved a minimum hourly wage of $15.37 for its hotel workers.

“The cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have led the way by raising the minimum wage for its workers and making sure their hard work is rewarded with fair pay,” said Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León, principal co-author of SB 3.

Research from the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment at UC Berkeley indicates that higher wages reduce turnover and improve work performance and have no negative effect on the number of jobs available.

“Increasing the minimum wage as proposed by Senator Leno is long overdue,” said Michael Herald, legislative advocate with the Western Center on Law & Poverty. “Poverty is not just about income and wages. It is about ensuring that infant children get the nourishment and environment that will allow them to be self-sufficient as adults. Research shows that children who go hungry or homeless are more likely to go to jail, less likely to graduate and will earn less as adults.”

Women are also especially impacted by the minimum wage. About six in 10 minimum wage workers in California are women, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

“Raising the minimum wage in California is a women’s issue,” said Surina Khan, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of California, which supports the bill.

“Women, and in particular single mothers, hold a disproportionate share of minimum wage jobs and disproportionately live in poverty: sixty-four percent of minimum wage workers are women and of these, 60 percent are supporting families. SB 3 increases California’s current minimum wage of $9 per hour in two steps, to $11 in 2016 and $13 in 2017. Beginning in 2019, the minimum wage would be adjusted annually to the rate of inflation.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of March 11 -17, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

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Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  

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