California's $20 Fast Food Wage Draws Fire from Senator Moreno, Labeling Past Rates 'Slave Wages'

California's recent increase in the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 per hour has ignited a contentious debate, drawing sharp criticism from Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno. The Republican senator took to social media, stating, "> California liberals bemoaning the end of slaves wages. Sad." This comment, made on September 21, 2025, highlights a significant ideological divide over labor policies and their economic implications.

The wage hike, enacted through Assembly Bill 1228, took effect on April 1, 2024, raising the hourly pay for an estimated 500,000 fast-food employees across the state. The legislation also established a Fast Food Council, empowered to set future wage increases and employment standards, with a proposed further increase to $20.70 per hour under consideration for April or May 2025. This move aimed to provide a living wage for workers in an industry often characterized by low pay.

The economic impact of the $20 minimum wage remains a subject of intense discussion. Studies from organizations like UC-Berkeley's Center on Wage and Employment Dynamics suggest minimal effects on employment and only slight menu price increases. Conversely, other reports, including one from the Employment Policies Institute, claim significant job losses in California's fast-food sector since the law's implementation, with some analyses citing over 19,000 jobs lost and menu prices increasing by 14.5% in the state.

Senator Moreno, who assumed office in 2025, has consistently voiced opposition to minimum wage mandates, advocating for market-driven wages. He has previously stated his belief that there should not be a minimum wage. Moreno himself has faced multiple wage theft lawsuits from former employees related to his past business ventures, with some settlements exceeding $400,000. His recent legislative efforts include the "HIRE Act," designed to curb outsourcing by disincentivizing companies from "chasing cheaper wages" abroad.

The senator's use of "slave wages" in his tweet is a rhetorical device, likely intended to sarcastically frame the previous minimum wage as exploitative, while simultaneously criticizing those he labels "California liberals" for their perceived opposition to higher wages. This political commentary underscores the ongoing national discourse surrounding labor rights, economic regulation, and the role of government in setting wage standards.