Minimum Wage Wars- California Coasting?

When most people think of the West Coast, most people immediately think California.  They often neglect Oregon and Washington when this happens.  Well once again, California will be the focal point, this time on the Minimum Wage War.

With the largest population expanded over such a large area, California is a mixed bag unlike any other.  Many different views, many different standpoints.  California is just like any other state debate: "Minimum wage will help in this this if we raise it."  "Minimum wage will affect that if we raise it."  "How can we make people rich just by raising the wage?"  "It'll hurt the economy."  Unemployment will increase.  "Why has it not been kept up with for the past decade?"  All of the jabber is just ridiculous to hear sometimes.

To begin with, take a look at California's statistics.  Over the years since 2001, they have gradually increased the minimum wage a good step above federal standards.  During this period, they have shown to have decreased the unemployment at a pretty steady rate even with a slight fluctuation.  California has the second highest minimum wage of any state at $9.00 an hour, after Washington State at $9.47 an hour.  In contrast to this, California's large population attributes to its low rank among states in unemployment, as it is tied for 47th with Louisiana.

Suffice to say, for the state of California there has been good change in recent memory, but there is still much to be done.