(The Daily Signal)—New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wants a $30 minimum wage in New York by 2030, but California’s experience shows this flawed policy will kill at least tens of thousands of jobs.
Policymaking doesn’t happen in a vacuum—the laws of economics still hold whether a minimum wage worker is on the East or West Coast.
California is the canary in a coal mine signaling to Mamdani—an avowed socialist with communist predilections—how hiking minimum wage to $30 will cause thousands of New Yorkers to lose their jobs.
A new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research this month found California’s 2023 minimum wage increase to $20 per hour resulted in a loss of 18,000 jobs in the fast-food sector. This number would be far greater if researchers included other minimum wage jobs, including hospitality, gardening, etc.
The economists from Texas A&M University and University of California-San Diego traced the minimum wage increase impact since it went into effect in April 2024 and found a 3.2% decline in California compared to fast-food sectors in the rest of America.
“Our median estimate translates into a loss of 18,000 jobs in California’s fast-food sector relative to the counterfactual,” wrote researchers Jeffrey Clemens, Olivia Edwards, and Jonathan Meer.
The results are not surprising at all, and yet both California and New York keep engaging in repeated policy insanities like this that are driving people and money from their state.
On Monday night during an event with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Va., airing live on CSPAN, the Committee to Unleash Prosperity (founded by a group including current and former advisers to President Donald Trump) released a new series of interactive maps about migration among America’s states.
The maps show massive exodus of both Californians and New Yorkers to better economic climates. New York (1.8 million people) and California (1.6 million people) topped the chart of which states lost the most people between 2011 and 2022.
California and New York both also topped the chart of which states lost the most money, “in terms of the Aggregated Gross Income (AGI) tied to their net domestic migrants. This means that when people left these states, they took the largest amounts of personal income, which can have a myriad of impacts on these states.”
In that same period, New York lost $111.1 billion and California lost $102.4 billion. The winners? Not surprisingly, states led by conservative governors embracing freedom principles of competition, fair playing field and school choice.
Between 2011 and 2022, Florida and Texas proved the biggest winners. Florida gained 1.6 million people and Texas gained 1.3 million. Florida gained $195.6 billion—almost a quarter trillion dollars in net Aggregated Gross Income—while Texas gained $54.5 billion.
Despite his failed leadership, Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., on Sunday touted a state “cradle-to-career” workforce program—tone deaf considering the jobs he’s killed—especially as minimum wage jobs are often the first step on a career ladder for people like me who came from struggling, formerly homeless families.
As a former Taco Bell and Subway fast food employee, I feel compelled to stand up for my fellow workers who often take minimum wage jobs—like I did—as a first step on the economic ladder.
In New York, Mamdani epitomizes the capitalist American dream he seeks to destroy. Mamdani is a socialist with a capitalist lifestyle and pedigree. Mamdani’s mother is Mira Nair, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker whose movies have grossed over $100 million. Mamdani spent his childhood on luxurious red carpets. At age 12, Mamdani attended the 2004 Venice Film Festival alongside actress Reese Witherspoon.
Mamdani’s father is a tenured Columbia University professor. The younger Mandami grew up attending Bank Street School, an exclusive private school with tuition reaching $69,000 per year. As a child, Mamdani lived on Riverside Drive in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, one of the world’s most exclusive ZIP codes.
As an adult, he attended Bowdoin College, reportedly without any financial aid for the pricey school, which now costs $71,000 per year for tuition alone. Mamdani is the quintessential example of an elitist hypocrite who seeks to destroy the economic system that gave him a blessed life.
If Mamdani and Newsom—both wealthy, silver spoon elitists—truly cared for the poor, they would not destroy minimum wage jobs. Intention matters far less than outcome.
Carrie Sheffield is a senior policy analyst at Independent Women’s Voice and author of “Motorhome Prophecies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness.”
We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal.
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.