The polls on raising the minimum wage in California are interesting, since our legislature just recently raised fast food wages to $20. That legislation passed the assembly by a wide margin and got exactly the 21 votes it needed in the senate with all Republicans against and Democrats in more centrist districts abstaining.

From an economic standpoint, most wages in urban areas are already approaching the proposed $18, since employers paying less are losing workers to McDonald's.

A good friend who manages a luxury resort in OC is having trouble retaining front desk people since they are paying only $18 and do lose people to fast food. They are hiring a lot of retirees who are fine with $18 so long as they get the employee travel benefits.

The polls on this proposition and on crime seem to be showing that the legislature is quite to the left of the voters.