California Voters Reject $18 Minimum Wage Proposal

California voters narrowly rejected Proposition 32, a ballot measure to increase the state's minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, marking the first defeat of such a measure nationwide since 1996. With 92% of votes counted, 50.8% opposed the measure, citing concerns over increased costs for employers and potential job losses. The California Chamber of Commerce opposed the measure, emphasizing economic concerns. Despite this, California's current minimum wage remains among the highest in the U.S., with specific sectors like fast food and healthcare having even higher minimums.