By: Kalyssa Chu, Staff Writer
Student workers may soon be receiving a pay raise: California’s 2024 ballot contains a direct vote on Proposition 32, which proposes raising the state minimum wage to $18 per hour starting in January 2025. If passed, this proposition will immediately go into effect, raising the statewide minimum wage to $17 per hour for the remainder of 2024 and increasing it to $18 per hour by 2025—making it the highest state minimum wage in the United States.
In San Mateo County, the minimum wage lies around $17 per hour, which is above the state minimum wage of $16 per hour. Still, many student workers at Mills share positive opinions on passing this proposition to benefit the whole state.
Junior Sascha Pascual, who currently earns around minimum wage working at the San Bruno Recreation Center, simply stated, “I would support it, because people deserve money.”
Similarly, student and Mills cafeteria worker Hunter Shu (11) expressed, “I would support this minimum wage raise because I’m broke, and I need some money.”
Shu believes raising the minimum wage will help all types of workers in California, especially those battling the state’s infamously high living costs. While Shu noted that working minimum wage shifts at the cafeteria sufficiently covers the financial demands in his life, he stated, “If it weren’t for my parents…[and] it was just me as an adult paying for my own expenses, then I wouldn’t think it’s enough.”
However, others criticize passing this proposition, particularly for its possible negative effects on small businesses. Although Proposition 32 would allow small businesses with 25 or fewer employees to phase into the $18 wage by 2026, rather than 2025, small businesses may still struggle to afford higher wages. This may lead to a reduction in available part-time positions or working hours, especially for young or entry-level workers.
In an ideal world, Shu said that he’d “want to maintain the same hours and still get paid more.” Nonetheless, the overall consequences Proposition 32 would have on working hours and the overall work experience for student workers will remain partially unknown unless passed on the ballot.
For all 18 year old students looking to vote, remember to do your research before sending in your ballot for this upcoming election! Eligible 16 and 17 year olds can pre-register online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov.
