Reform California with Carl DeMaio · Carl DeMaio

CA Minimum Wage Hike Backfires! Higher Prices & Lost Jobs

March 28, 2026·19 min·1 clip

Carl DeMaio reveals how California's $20 minimum wage destroyed tens of thousands of jobs and raised prices, despite warnings.

This episode analyzes the economic impact of California's $20 fast food minimum wage, hosted by Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California and a state representative. DeMaio argues the policy has backfired, leading to job losses and higher prices. He positions himself as providing necessary counter-messaging to what he describes as flawed Democratic policies. The episode cites a National Bureau of Economic Research study from 2025 finding the wage hike destroyed 18,000 restaurant jobs. It references a March 2026 University of California, Santa Cruz study led by Stephen Owens, which surveyed over 100 outlets. That study concluded the policy led to fewer job opportunities, reduced hours, and accelerated automation like self-order kiosks and AI. DeMaio contrasts this with a 2024 UC Berkeley study that found a 18% pay increase for workers who kept jobs and a 3.7% price rise. DeMaio claims California's unemployment rate is 5.5%, which he notes is 25% higher than the national 4.4% rate. He states that in the last two years, California added 350,000 government jobs while losing 161,000 private sector jobs. He argues the policy punishes new workers by eliminating entry-level positions and criticizes California for effectively banning unpaid internships. DeMaio also states the average California driver pays $2,500 annually in various car and gas taxes. A key insight is DeMaio's argument that the wage increase's benefits evaporate because the affected workers also face the resulting higher consumer prices. He contends the sustainable path to higher wages is through skill development and career advancement, not government mandate. The episode frames minimum wage jobs as intended for entry-level, low-skill workers, not as lifelong careers. DeMaio asserts that politicians impose wage mandates but avoid responsibility when businesses respond with layoffs or price hikes. He suggests reducing gas taxes by $1,500-$1,700 would put more money in workers' pockets than a minimum wage hike. The host concludes that bending the cost curve for essentials like housing and gas is more effective than raising the minimum wage. The tone is direct, persuasive, and highly critical of Democratic leadership, using a conversational monologue style. It is educational in intent, presenting specific studies and data points to support its economic argument. Listeners interested in conservative economic analysis and critiques of California governance would find this episode compelling. Those who support the minimum wage increase or seek a balanced debate featuring opposing viewpoints might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A hard-charging wage-fight brief that turns policy into visible costs.

Carl DeMaio uses California’s minimum-wage fight to argue that higher pay rules show up quickly in prices, jobs, and the way politicians describe the economy.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

California's $20 wage fight, with jobs, prices, and kiosks on the line.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Reform California with Carl DeMaio