Jan. 1, 2024 twenty two states raise minimum wage + California $20 fast food in April

[Luvnit2]

Minimum wage is much like abortion, it has become a state issue as federal minimum wage has been far surpassed in most states on the state level. Ohio will force businesses to pay $10.45 an hour for 16 and 17 year olds and all adults. Only 14 and 15 year olds can be paid the lesser federal minimum wage.

1. Do you think it makes sense to force businesses to start 16 and 17 year olds at $10.45 and hour, same as adults who support themselves or families?
2. If yes, do you think this could impact businesses paying the adults less to counter paying minors who have less availability of hours they can work due to minor labor laws?
3. Do you see businesses racing to eliminate jobs with technology and/or robots?

On a side note, California has targeted fast food restaurants to pay all employees a minimum of $20 per hour on April 1, 2024. Their minimum wage for others is a little over $16 an hour. McDonald's is on record saying this will cost one restaurant over $250,000 a year. They can only raise prices so much to offset these headwinds.

As we battle inflation woes do you think the added wages will help inflation and employment participation, hurt it or have no impact?