"I know how damaging it can be when new regulations target one industry while leaving others untouched. It's especially disheartening because the majority of owners are immigrants who already live with the daily fear of raids and growing hostility toward our communities. As someone who's lived the journey from dishwasher to business owner, I'm urging the board to recognize that further targeting local restaurants is unjustified, and to reject this proposal."
"My story is not unusual for immigrants in the 1980s, but it is significant. More than 30 years ago, I moved to the United States with nothing more than a dream to build a life. I knew it would be hard work, but I also knew I had the fortitude and discipline to make it happen. I started washing dishes at Taco Bell and worked my way up to general manager."
"Since then, I've grown my business to three restaurants across Santa Clara County - but for the first time in decades, I'm moving backward. The state's new $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers under Assembly Bill 1228 has already forced me to close one location, and I'm not alone. A recent survey found 98% of local restaurant owners have had to raise prices, nearly nine in 10 have reduced employee hours and 74% are more likely to shut down."
A countywide proposal would impose new regulations that target over 1,600 local restaurants and immigrant business owners, adding burdens to already struggling small businesses. Many owners are immigrants who face daily fear of raids and growing hostility. An immigrant rose from dishwasher to owner, expanded to three restaurants, but closed one location following the state's new $20 fast-food minimum wage under Assembly Bill 1228. A recent survey reports 98% of local restaurant owners raised prices, nearly nine in 10 reduced employee hours, and 74% are more likely to shut down. Food prices rose 14.5% and 34,000 fast-food jobs were lost since the wage hike. AB 1228 also established a statewide Fast Food Council.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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