{"id":2189781,"date":"2024-02-29T21:26:02","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T02:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-panera-bread-owner-donated-over-164k-to-newsom-business-exempt-from-states-new-20-minimum-wage-law\/"},"modified":"2024-02-29T21:30:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T02:30:59","slug":"calif-panera-bread-owner-donated-over-164k-to-newsom-business-exempt-from-states-new-20-minimum-wage-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-panera-bread-owner-donated-over-164k-to-newsom-business-exempt-from-states-new-20-minimum-wage-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Calif: Panera Bread owner gave $164K to Newsom, business exempt from new $20 minimum wage law"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalif-panera-bread-owner-donated-over-164k-to-newsom-business-exempt-from-states-new-20-minimum-wage-law%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2189781&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L) California Governor Gavin \u2064Newsom attends an event with fellow governors in the East Room \u2063of the\u2063 White House on February \u206323, 2024 in\u2063 Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images) \/ (R)NOVATO, CALIFORNIA \u200c\u2013 NOVEMBER 09: \u2064A\u2063 sign is posted \u2062on the exterior of a Panera\u2064 Bread restaurant on November 09, 2021 \u200din Novato, California. After \u2063going private in\u200b 2017 \u2063when JAB Holding bought the \u2063company\u2064 for $7.5 billion, Panera bread will go public once again through an initial public offering. (Photo by Justin Sullivan\/Getty\u200b Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>OAN\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/tag\/brooke-mallory\">Brooke Mallory<\/a><br \/>6:23 PM \u2013 Thursday, \u200dFebruary 29, \u200b2024<\/h2>\n<p>Following the billionaire owner of Panera Bread restaurants making \u200dmajor financial contributions to the California governor,\u200d Gavin Newsom signed a\u2064 bill exempting the \u2064food \u2063establishment\u200c from a new $20 minimum\u2063 wage \u200braise.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px; text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad-slot__ad-label\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>Governor Newsom \u200b(D-Calif.) signed a bill \u200cinto law in\u2063 September that is meant to\u2063 increase fast food employees\u2019 minimum pay from $16 to $20 per\u2064 hour.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>Fast food workers will have a\u200b minimum wage of $20\/hour \u2064beginning on April 1st\u2014$4 \u2062higher than the U.S minimum \u2064wage for 2024. This applies to chains with 60 or more locations across the nation,\u2062 and is effective as of April 1, 2024, according \u200bto <em>ABC 7 News.<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>However, an \u2063important note to point out is that the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act\u200d (FAST Act) \u200dhas a unique exemption stating, \u201cchains that bake \u2063bread and sell it as \u200da standalone item\u201d will not \u200bbe\u2064 forced\u2062 to raise their minimum wage, according\u200b to <em>Bloomberg\u2062 News<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>According to\u200c reports, Newsom requested \u200bthe\u2064 exemption, which benefits \u2064a number of people, including wealthy CEO Greg \u2062Flynn of Flynn Restaurant\u200b Group, who controls at \u2062least \u206324 Panera Bread establishments in the state.<\/p>\n<p><em>Bloomberg \u2064News<\/em> also reported that Flynn went to the\u200c same\u200c high school as Newsom, and that\u200d he has given over $164,800 to Newsom\u2019s political campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>According to disclosure forms, Flynn is one \u200cof the \u2063biggest franchisees in the U.S., with thousands of brands under his belt, including \u200bWendy\u2019s, Taco \u2062Bell, Applebee\u2019s, and Pizza Hut. He also purchased a Napa Valley resort run by Newsom\u2019s hospitality\u200d company in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>Flynn denied any involvement with Newsom regarding the\u200b addition\u200b of the law\u2019s bread exemption.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, Newsom informed reporters that the \u200bexemption \u200bwas \u201cpart of\u2064 the sausage-making\u201d\u200c process.<\/p>\n<p>However, the \u200dNational Restaurant Association\u2019s Michelle Korsmo said at a convention last year that \u201ceveryone\u2019s scratching their heads\u201d regarding the \u200c\u201crandom\u201d bread exemption.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cYou may be celebrating or you may be lamenting the\u200b bakery exemption,\u201d Korsmo said, \u200baccording to\u2063 <em>Bloomberg News<\/em>. \u201cBut remember, all of \u200dthat comes \u2062through relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When the bill was initially proposed in 2022, \u200dFlynn openly opposed it. He said that increasing the minimum wage \u2064for workers\u200d in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scientific-study-claims-paper-straws-are-not-environmentally-friendly-or-safe-for-human-health\/\" title=\"Study: Paper Straws Found to be Unfriendly to Environment and Human Health\">fast food establishments<\/a>\u200d would negatively impact franchise owners\u2019 bottom\u2062 lines and raise prices for \u2063consumers.<\/p>\n<p>According to <em>Bloomberg<\/em>, Flynn\u200c even\u200c urged\u200d Newsom\u2019s aides to\u200b reevaluate whether Panera Bread\u2062 qualifies as fast\u2063 food.<\/p>\n<p>The\u2063 union that was advocating for the increase in the minimum wage\u200b allegedly accepted the\u2064 exception for \u200dbread sellers as a compromise in order to win the governor\u2019s \u200cbacking. This led to\u200d its inclusion\u2064 in \u200dthe legislation.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of other businesses facing\u200d the possibly impending law, Chipotle\u2019s chief financial and administrative officer, Jack Hartung,\u200b additionally issued a warning earlier this month \u200cstating that customers in California can\u2062 anticipate \u201csignificant\u201d price increases as a\u2063 result of the increase in minimum wage.<\/p>\n<p>Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox\u2062 for free. Subscribe here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"rc-widget-10bad2\" data-rc-widget data-widget-host=\"habitat\" data-endpoint=\"\/\/trends.revcontent.com\" data-widget-id=\"278641\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dpsp-share-text\" style=\"margin-bottom:10px\"> \t\t \t\tShare this post!\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Both Trump and President \u200bBiden \u2063visit the\u200b Texas Border, Hunter opens up about \u200cthe\u200b Big Guy and Jerry Jones might own more than the Cowboys.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>In a highly crucial visit, President Biden makes a rare trip to the southern border. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Carolyn Phippen<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Bill Wells<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>UnitedHealth Group faces a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-dissidents-petition-supreme-court-to-strike-down-donor-disclosure-law\/\" title=\"Chinese Dissidents Petition Supreme Court to Strike Down Donor Disclosure Law\">major data breach<\/a> as\u200c hackers claim to have stolen millions of sensitive records.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Legal battle ensues as X\u2064 challenges the Center for Countering Digital Hate\u2019s criticism of hate speech.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Bitcoin surges towards a record high \u200dfueled by ETF approvals and investor excitement, marking\u200c its largest monthly gain in \u2062over three years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>A California state judge tentatively rules in favor of 6,000\u2062 Black \u200dfactory workers for alleged race discrimination and harassment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> rnrn  <\/p>\n<h2> What factors led to\u2062 Governor Newsom \u200dsigning a bill that exempts Panera \u200dBread from the new minimum wage raise?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Title: Controversy \u2063Surrounding Panera Bread&#8217;s Exemption from California&#8217;s Minimum Wage Increase<\/p>\n<p>Introduction<\/p>\n<p>Recent reports have shed light on a controversial move\u2064 made \u2064by California Governor \u200bGavin Newsom regarding the minimum wage\u2062 increase for fast food workers in the state.\u2062 The billionaire owner \u2063of Panera Bread, Greg Flynn, made substantial \u200bfinancial contributions to\u2063 Newsom&#8217;s campaign,\u200d leading to the signing of a bill that exempts the popular food establishment from the new $20 minimum wage raise. This exemption has sparked debates and raised questions about the \u200dfairness \u200dand transparency of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/listen-elon-musk-presses-robinhood-ceo-about-gamestop-fiasco-restricted-trading\/\" title=\"LISTEN: Elon Musk Presses Robinhood CEO About GameStop Fiasco, Restricted Trading\">decision-making process<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200bMinimum Wage Increase and the Bread Exemption<\/p>\n<p>Governor Newsom signed a \u200dbill\u200c into law in September aimed at increasing the minimum\u200d pay for fast\u200b food employees from $16 to $20 per hour. However, the Fast Food \u2063Accountability and Standards Recovery \u200cAct\u2063 (FAST Act) included \u200da unique exemption \u200bclause \u2062that stated &#8220;chains that bake bread and sell it as a standalone item&#8221; would not\u200c be obligated to \u200braise their minimum wage.\u200c This exemption specifically benefits Panera Bread establishments in California, as the chain primarily focuses on selling freshly baked bread.<\/p>\n<p>Governor \u200cNewsom&#8217;s Controversial \u2062Move<\/p>\n<p>According to reports, Governor \u200cNewsom personally requested the exemption, which directly benefits Greg Flynn, the CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group, who \u200dcontrols at least 24 Panera \u200cBread establishments in the state. It is worth \u2062noting that Flynn \u2063had contributed over $164,800 to Newsom&#8217;s political campaigns in the past. Furthermore, Flynn\u2063 and \u2062Newsom attended the same high school.<\/p>\n<p>Flynn&#8217;s Denial and Relationship with Newsom<\/p>\n<p>Flynn has denied any\u200d involvement with Newsom regarding the inclusion of \u2064the bread \u200dexemption in\u200d the law. Disclosure forms reveal that Flynn is \u2064one of the largest franchisees in the United States, operating several popular brands\u2062 such as Wendy&#8217;s, Taco Bell, Applebee&#8217;s, and \u200dPizza Hut. He also purchased a Napa Valley\u2062 resort\u200d previously run by \u200bNewsom&#8217;s hospitality company \u2063in\u2063 2014.<\/p>\n<p>The Debate and Industry Reactions<\/p>\n<p>While Governor Newsom referred to \u2062the bread exemption as a result\u2063 of\u2063 the legislative process, industry experts\u200c and critics argue that it \u2063raises concerns about favoritism and special treatment. The National Restaurant Association&#8217;s Michelle Korsmo expressed confusion regarding the &#8220;random&#8221; bread exemption and highlighted the\u200c importance of relationships in such <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/one-year-later-how-the-death-of-george-floyd-changed-5-american-institutions\/\" title=\"One Year Later: How The Death Of George Floyd Changed 5 American Institutions\u00a0\">decision-making processes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Opposition and Union Involvement<\/p>\n<p>During the initial proposal of the bill in 2022,\u200c Flynn openly opposed increasing\u2062 the minimum wage\u2063 for fast food\u200d workers, citing potential negative consequences for franchise owners and consumers.\u200b Reports suggest that \u200bthe union advocating for the minimum wage increase accepted the bread exemption as a\u200c compromise in order to secure Newsom&#8217;s support for\u200c the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion<\/p>\n<p>The controversy surrounding \u2063Panera Bread&#8217;s exemption from California&#8217;s minimum wage increase has \u200cbrought attention to \u200bthe potential influence of campaign contributions\u2063 on political decisions.\u2062 Critics argue\u200c that the exemption\u2063 raises questions about fairness and\u200b transparency in the legislative process. Moving forward, it\u2063 is crucial for policymakers to ensure that decisions regarding minimum wage increases\u200c prioritize fairness and \u2064benefit all workers in their\u2064 respective industries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>California Governor Gavin Newsom joins governors at the White House in Washington, DC. Meanwhile, a sign is displayed outside a Panera Bread restaurant in Novato, California<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1866,"featured_media":2189782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FOR-WEBSITE-ARTICLES-5.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2189781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FOR-WEBSITE-ARTICLES-5.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2189781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1866"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2189781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2189781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2189782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2189781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2189781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2189781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}