California Minimum Wage Rising To $10 By 2016

Legislation backed by California Gov. Jerry Brown that increases the state’s hourly minimum wage to $9 in 2014 and $10 in 2016 has passed both houses and is now awaiting the governor's sign off.

The minimum wage in California has been $8 an hour since 2008. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.

“The minimum wage has not kept pace with rising costs,” Brown said. “This legislation is overdue and will help families that are struggling in this harsh economy.”

More than 90 percent of minimum wage workers in California are over the age of 20, and 25 percent of California children – nearly 2.4 million – live in a household with one minimum wage-earning parent, according to the governor’s office.

“AB 10 is about equity. It puts more money directly into the pockets of workers struggling to provide food, clothes, and housing for their families. I’m proud to author this measure on behalf of hard working families in California,” said Alejo, the bill's author.