In brief
We support Prop 32 (2024) because the working poor deserve fairness and the means to live lives of basic human dignity. Many of our faith traditions call for fairness in wages and working to support the poorest and most vulnerable. The working poor should not be trapped in their condition.
We recognize that $18 per hour is not a living wage in California, but better wages are essential in reducing poverty. Thus, we support any movement in that direction, even if the change does not establish a living wage. Raising wages has vital implications for the common good, families, and communities. Our Racial Justice Task Force recommends support for this ballot item.
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In this post
What would Prop 32 do?
California has a high cost of living, and our current $16 minimum wage is well below the estimated living wage needed to support a household’s basic needs. Prop 32 would raise the minimum wage for employers that employ 26 or more people to $18 per hour in 2025 and 2026.
For businesses that employ 25 or fewer people the minimum wage would be $17 an hour in 2025 and $18 per hour in 2026. Prop 32 pauses inflation adjustments until 2027, giving businesses and the economy time to adjust to the new wage levels. After that, the minimum wage would go up each year based on inflation.
A minimum wage of $18 an hour will reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living for millions of California workers. Plus, an $18 minimum wage will likely increase wages across the board, increasing consumer spending, which will help the economy. Increased spending creates more jobs, making everyone better off.
Raising the Minimum Wage: A Fairness Analysis
Living wages are fundamentally about fairness. They ensure that full-time individuals earn enough to cover basic human necessities like food, housing, and healthcare. In a society as wealthy as ours, it’s unjust that someone can work hard and still struggle to make ends meet.
Low wages often perpetuate poverty, trapping people in a cycle where they can’t afford the essentials, let alone save or invest in their future. Living wages help break this cycle by providing a pathway out of poverty.
We recognize that $18 per hour is not a living wage in California. Yet raising the minimum wage is a crucial step towards achieving living wages for all workers. It sets a baseline income that helps ensure everyone receives a fair wage for their labor, reducing income inequality and promoting a more just society.
Why Faith Communities Might Support Raising the Minimum Wage
Faith communities often advocate for raising the minimum wage, grounding their support in core principles found in many religious traditions. Here’s why they might support Prop 32:
Dignity of Work:
- Many faiths teach that all work has dignity and deserves fair compensation. A living wage allows individuals to support themselves and their families, upholding their inherent dignity.
Social Justice:
- Most religious traditions emphasize a commitment to justice and compassion for the vulnerable. Raising the minimum wage addresses economic inequality and helps lift people out of poverty, aligning with these values.
Scriptural Precedents:
- Scripture shared between the Jewish and Christian traditions contains numerous passages condemning the exploitation of workers and advocating for fair wages (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Jeremiah 22:13). These teachings provide a direct scriptural basis for supporting a living wage.
Community Well-being:
- Faith communities recognize that poverty affects everyone in society. Raising the minimum wage can improve community health, reduce reliance on social services, and boost the overall economy.
Moral Obligation:
- Many faith traditions teach that we are morally obligated to care for the poor and vulnerable. Supporting a living wage is seen as a concrete way to fulfill this obligation.
By advocating for a living wage, faith communities strive to create a more just and equitable society where everyone can thrive, reflecting the core values of their beliefs. These are good reasons to support Prop 32.
General Information on Ballot Items
For more information and recommendations on all of the ballot items, please consider these sources:
- California League of Women Voters – Ballot Recommendations
- California Council of Churches IMPACT – Recommendations
- Friends Committee on Legislation of California – Recommendations
For more information on the ballot items themselves, please consider these sources:
