In the ever-evolving liberal landscape of California politics, Governor Gavin Newsom has once again stirred the pot with his latest legislative maneuver—a new minimum wage law that peculiarly exempts businesses that bake bread. This move has left many scratching their heads, wondering about the real ingredients in Newsom’s political recipe.
Dubbed the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Act (F.A.S.T.), this law mandates a significant wage hike for fast food workers, raising their minimum wage from $16 to an eye-watering $20 per hour. However, it’s not the wage increase itself that’s causing a stir but rather an odd exemption for chains that bake bread and sell it as a standalone item. This peculiar carve-out has led many to question the motivations behind such a specific exemption.
Why should a restaurant/bakery hybrid enjoy a different set of rules than its fast food counterparts? The answer, it seems, lies not in the dough but in the deep pockets of a long-time campaign donor to Newsom, billionaire Greg Flynn, who owns a substantial number of Panera Bread franchises. This revelation, brought to light by a Bloomberg News report, suggests that Newsom’s law is less about fair wages and more about serving up favors to wealthy allies.
Panera Bread, for those unfamiliar, is a chain where the ambiance feels more like a purgatory between a fast-food joint and a casual café. It’s a place you might find yourself not out of desire but necessity, much like the DMV if it decided to open a bakery section. And yet, thanks to Newsom’s new law, Panera and similar establishments can breathe a sigh of relief, spared from the financial burdens that will now befall their fast-food brethren.
This exemption is not just a small crumb; it’s a whole loaf of favoritism, highlighting a disturbing trend in politics where the rich and powerful can knead the law to their liking, leaving small businesses and their employees to pick up the crumbs. The impact of this law extends beyond the bakery, as fast food giants like McDonald’s and Chipotle grapple with the financial strain of increased wages, a cost that will inevitably be passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices.
The irony of Newsom’s law is as thick as Panera’s infamous bread bowls. In a state already notorious for its exodus of businesses due to unfriendly policies, F.A.S.T. seems poised to accelerate this trend, driving even more companies out of the Golden State. It’s a recipe for disaster, with small businesses and everyday workers bearing the brunt of the cost.
Final Thoughts
Gavin Newsom’s latest legislative concoction is a stark reminder of the greasy, slimy politics that dominate California’s landscape. By baking in exemptions for his wealthy friends while the rest of the state struggles with rising costs and regulatory burdens, Newsom has shown that in his California, the truth and ethical governance are optional ingredients. As businesses and consumers brace for the impact of F.A.S.T., one thing is clear: in the world of politics, it’s not what you know, but who you knead.
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