"voters approved a local ordinance tying the minimum wage to the regional rate of inflation" Isn't inflation naturally affected by wages (among other things)? So this creates a feedback loop driving inflation upward.
This whole situation reminds me of the "B Ark" from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A whole planet schemed to get rid of people they felt were in useless jobs (e.g. telephone cleaners, and hair dressers). If the minimum wage in SF is now $10.55, who will sweep the floors?
In the story, the rest of the planet was soon wiped out by a telephone-born virus or something :)
FTA: "The study by economist Aaron Yelowitz concludes that earlier studies failed to recognize groups who are losing out on work opportunities because of the higher labor cost — specifically teenagers."
So, it won't be the same people. There will be fewer teenagers in the workforce.
That would be what the article points out as "funded by a restaurant and beverage industry lobbyist". That industry has an interest in keeping the minimum wage lower.
This whole situation reminds me of the "B Ark" from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A whole planet schemed to get rid of people they felt were in useless jobs (e.g. telephone cleaners, and hair dressers). If the minimum wage in SF is now $10.55, who will sweep the floors?
In the story, the rest of the planet was soon wiped out by a telephone-born virus or something :)