California Health Care Worker Wages Increase to $25

California's health care workers will see wage increases under a new state law, SB 525, starting this week, with most earning at least $18 an hour at rural facilities and $23 at larger hospitals. Over the next decade, wages will gradually rise to a minimum of $25 per hour, affecting about 350,000 workers. Although Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law last year, its implementation was delayed due to budget concerns. Critics warn that the law could impose financial strain on hospitals, leading to potential job cuts. Simultaneously, California voters are considering Proposition 32, which could raise the broader minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, amid fears of job losses and economic strain. Business groups argue that such increases could exacerbate inflation and hurt small businesses in the state.