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Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) issued the following statement in response to news reports that Panera Bread was exempted from California’s new $20-an-hour minimum wage hike for fast food chains because of their franchise owner’s connections and campaign contributions to Governor Newsom:
“Panera couldn't afford Democrat lawmakers' $20 minimum wage requirement for fast food restaurants. Lucky for them, their franchise owner donated over $160,000 to Governor Newsom, who got them an exemption. Unfortunately, other restaurants lacked such substantial donations and now must comply with the new minimum wage by all means necessary, including layoffs and replacing workers with automation.
“Campaign contributions should not buy you carve-outs in legislation. This isn’t ‘sausage making’ as the governor suggests, it’s crony capitalism. Corrupt and UNACCEPTABLE.”
Jones and all Senate Republicans opposed the measure, AB 1228, which led to this minimum wage hike in it's entirety in 2023. In a further effort to stop the assault on California employers, Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) even made a formal request to the governor to veto the legislation.
Click here to view Sen. Jones's response on X.