<p>Governor Gavin Newsom (D) pushed back last week on accusations that Panera Bread is exempt from California&#8217;s new $20 minimum wage for fast-food restaurant employees.</p>
<p>Republicans have accused Newsom of giving the chain special treatment because a high school classmate and donor to Newsom&#8217;s campaigns, Greg Flynn, runs two dozen Panera Bread restaurants in California. Bloomberg News first reported that Panera appeared to be exempt from the new minimum wage law, which takes effect in April and raises the minimum wage for fast-food workers from $16 to $20.</p>
<p>The law carves out an exception for businesses that produce their own bread on the premises. The exemption was added late in the bill&#8217;s process, and Newsom&#8217;s administration has not explained the reason for it — but now his team contends that Panera won&#8217;t be exempt from the law.</p>
<p>“The Governor never met with Flynn about this bill and this story is absurd. Our legal team has reviewed and it appears Panera is not exempt from the law,” Newsom spokesman Alex Stack <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article286132126.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p>
<p>Previously, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher called for an investigation and accused Newsom of setting his special interests up with “favors at the expense of regular Californians.”</p>
<p>“This type of crooked dealmaking is wrong and exactly why our constituents think the government isn’t looking out for them,” Gallagher said.</p>
<p>“Campaign contributions should not buy you exemptions in legislation. The public deserves to know the truth about the allegations of Governor Newsom’s crony capitalism,” Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R) said in a statement.</p>
<p>Bloomberg reported that Newsom had fought for Panera&#8217;s exemption.</p>
<p>Newsom&#8217;s office <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article286131426.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">argued</a> that Panera is not exempt since the restaurants do not technically &#8220;produce&#8221; their own bread. The law says the minimum wage increase does not apply to businesses with a bakery that “produces for sale on the establishment’s premises bread.”</p>
<p>Panera locations do not make their own dough on the premises, although they do bake their own bread.</p>
<p>Bloomberg&#8217;s reporting also named Paris Baguette and Great Harvest Bread Co. as exempt from the minimum wage hike. It is unclear whether those companies produce their own bread entirely on the premises.</p>
<p>Flynn <a href="https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/newsom-now-says-panera-bread-is-not-exempt-from-californias-minimum-wage-hike/amp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> donated $100,000 to Newsom in 2021 to help him fight a recall effort, as well as $64,800 in 2022 for Newsom&#8217;s re-election campaign.</p>
<p>Flynn said that while he opposed the minimum wage bill, he never asked for special treatment.</p>
<p><b><a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700760801843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a></b></p>
<p>“To be clear, at no time did I ask for an exemption or special considerations. In fact, the idea never even occurred to me and I was surprised when the exemption appeared in the final legislation. I also never met with Governor Newsom about this bill, though I did meet with his staff in a group meeting with other restaurant owners,” Flynn <a href="https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/newsom-now-says-panera-bread-is-not-exempt-from-californias-minimum-wage-hike/amp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p>
<p>Thanks to the law, some fast food will become more expensive in California. McDonalds and Chipotle, which are not exempt from the minimum wage increase, have already <a href="https://ktla.com/news/california/fast-food-in-california-is-about-to-get-more-expensive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> plans to raise prices.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Newsom Pushes Back On Pay-To-Play Accusations, Says Panera Is Not Exempt From Minimum Wage Hike

CONTINUE READING

Your Child’s School Might Still Be Pushing Transgender Ideology Despite Trump’s Orders

Trump Says MSNBC Changed Name Because It’s ‘Ashamed’

Plant-Based Beyond Meat Denies It’s Filing For Bankruptcy Amid Falling Sales

Democrats Love Citing This One Climate Change Study. Turns Out It’s All Bogus.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Proposes Law To Involuntarily Commit Drug Addicts

The Feds Took Over The DC Police In The 90s, Too. Here’s How That Went.

News

Business

California

Economy

Food

Gavin Newsom

Minimum Wage

Restaurant

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Newsom Pushes Back On Pay-To-Play Accusations, Says Panera Is Not Exempt From Minimum Wage Hike