California voters will decide in November on Proposition 32, which seeks to raise the state's minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026. If approved, it would be the highest in the U.S., alongside Hawaii.

The initiative proposes that businesses with more than 26 employees increase wages to $17 per hour by the end of 2024 and to $18 in 2025. Smaller businesses would complete the wage increase to $18 by 2026. Without this proposal, the minimum wage would only rise to $16.50 in 2025.

Supporters claim the measure will help address California's high cost of living, while opponents warn of a negative impact on small businesses, potentially leading to higher prices and job cuts.

Currently, about 40 California cities already have local minimum wages higher than the state level. In West Hollywood, for example, the wage is $19.08 per hour, prompting some businesses to reduce work hours or employees.

You may also be interested in its Spanish version: California propone salario mínimo de $18 por hora

In April, a $20 per hour minimum wage was approved for fast-food workers, and another law will gradually raise healthcare workers' wages to $25 by 2026.