Dateline Sacramento – Board of Equalization member George Runner today has criticized Gov. Brown’s plan to raise California’s minimum wage to $15 per hour:

“Contrary to conventional wisdom,” this dramatic wage hike won’t hurt millionaires and billionaires,” Mr. Runner said.

“It will hurt lower and middle class Californians, especially those who live in inner cities and rural areas.

“Entry-level and low-skilled workers, including young people, will find it more difficult to find jobs, pay for childcare, and eat out.

“Employers will hire fewer workers and instead turn to automation.”

Mr. Runner said that in a state as economically and culturally diverse as California, “it is a shame our elected officials don’t realize that a one-size-fits-all approach to combating poverty won’t work.

“Not every city is San Francisco,” he said. In the most progressive city in the state, the minimum wage will rise to $15 by 2018, four years earlier than the pending state law.

Mr. Runner may be contacted at www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.