The Runner Staff

On April 4, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.

The raise will benefit those working in retail, food service, and many entry-level positions, which are often the jobs held by students at CSU Bakersfield.

“It is going to benefit young people,” said student Elisa Davis, 26.

Davis said she thinks the minimum wage should be raised because of the rising cost of living, which includes cars, houses, and other necessitates.

However, some students view the wage increase as problematic.

Silvia Lopez, 19, said having the minimum wage increase is like going backwards and is unfair in some ways.

The raising of the wage would increase expenses that are already costly.

“They think you are raising the standards of living,” said Lopez.

Josue Cruz, 19, has similar views of the minimum wage increase, saying it would devalue the dollar.

“Everyone should inform themselves about the pros and cons of minimum wage before wanting to change it,” said Cruz.

Student James Dy, 20, said he looks into the positive and negative in everything.

Dy said the lower class tends to struggle the most, and yet the upper classes are getting more help.

He said he thinks that raising the minimum wage is trying to fix and make a more livable wage, and people already see it as a handout.

He said raising the minimum wage is “optimistically in the right direction.”