California might be called the Golden State, but it’s the Copper State that’s shining more brightly. Things haven’t been going too well for our neighbors to the west.California leads the nation in unemployment, accounting for 20% of all missing jobs in the nation. They also hold the most government debt, totaling $600 billion.Oh, and the highest individual tax rate in the U.S. Meanwhile, Arizona’s unemployment rate is at a record low, our debt is about 7% of California’s, and our tax rate is 2.5% compared to their 13.3%. Minimum wage hike has killed California jobsBut Gov. Gavin Newsom has a plan to fix his failing state. On April Fools’ Day, he raised the minimum wage of fast-food workers from $16 per hour to $20 per hour. “Today, we take one step closer to fairer wages, safer and healthier working conditions, and better training,” Newsom said, “by giving hardworking fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table.” Less of a “seat at the table” than a spot in the unemployment line. Trade groups claimed thousands of jobs have been lost since the law was signed in September, perpetuated by an article by the free-market Hoover Institute that has since been knocked down because the figures weren’t seasonally adjusted.Nonetheless, the law has picked winners and losers.Round Table Pizza and Pizza Hut, for example, announced they were eliminating about 1,280 delivery driver positions. As one former driver told The Wall Street Journal, “What’s the point of a raise if you don’t have a job?” El Pollo Loco cut employees’ hours by 10%, while Rubio’s Coastal Grill is shuttering 48 locations in California alone. The result: Higher costs, fewer opportunitiesThe restaurants are also passing the higher costs to consumers.Wendy’s increased prices by 8%, Chipotle by 7.5%, and Starbucks by 7%. McDonald’s has announced price hikes, and other franchises have enacted hiring freezes. Everyo …
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