"Just brazen corruption.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) carved out an exemption for Panera Bread from the state’s new insane $20 minimum wage law because its billionaire CEO Greg Flynn donates to his political campaigns.
In September California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed a law raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 per hour.
“Eighty percent of the workforce, these fast food places – 80 percent of people of color, two thirds…are women, the majority are breadwinners and we have the opportunity to reward that contribution, reward that sacrifice and stabilize an industry in turn. What a remarkable moment,” Newsom said in September during the bill signing.
According to Bloomberg, Newsom pushed for Panera Bread to be exempt from the new minimum wage law. Flynn, a billionaire restaurant franchisee, is a Newsom donor and was involved in business dealings with the California Governor.
Newsom told reporters of the exemption that it’s “part of the sausage-making” of politics.
Greg Flynn previously criticized the minimum wage bill dubbed the FAST Act. He said it would destroy the franchising in California – and next thing you know his restaurants are exempt.
How did Panera escape the Democrats’ new minimum wage bill?
Panera is given an exemption because it ‘bakes bread and sells it as a stand-alone item.’"
