LA politicians want to mandate prosperity. The $30 minimum wage proves they can’t |
Opinion
LA politicians want to mandate prosperity. The $30 minimum wage proves they can’t
City leaders OK a plan to push hotel and airport worker wages to $30 per hour ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics
By Ted Jenkin Fox News
Published June 12, 2026 5:00am EDT
Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google
close
Video
Los Angeles is experiencing an ‘urban decay,’ talk show host says
Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall and ‘The Rubin Report’ host Dave Rubin discuss Los Angeles’ struggles with homelessness and the drug crisis on ‘The Story.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
If you want to understand why businesses are leaving California, investors are looking elsewhere and common-sense economics seems to have disappeared from public policy, look no further than Los Angeles.
In a move that should surprise absolutely no one familiar with California politics, Los Angeles leaders approved a plan to push hotel and airport worker wages to $30 per hour. Supporters call it the "Olympic Wage," arguing that workers should benefit from the economic activity generated by the 2028 Summer Olympics. While that may sound compassionate, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of how businesses operate and how capitalism works in America.
The problem isn't that politicians want workers to earn more money. Everyone wants workers to earn more money. People need a decent living wage.
The problem is that Los Angeles continues to believe it can create wealth by passing laws instead of creating conditions that allow businesses to thrive.
LA HOTELS HIT BY LARGEST JOB LOSSES IN A DECADE AS 'OLYMPIC WAGE' MANDATES BITE, DATA SHOWS
That's not economics. That's fantasy land. As an owner of six small businesses, I’m the last person........