sacramento calif. plan raise california minimum wage 15 hour 2022 clear first legislative hurdle wednesday put state track become first nation commit large pay hike work poor measure incorporate deal governor jerry brown reach labor leaders fellow democrats legislature approve party-line vote 12-7 assembly appropriations committee previous version bill stall last summer one democrat tom daly join six republicans oppose measure advance full assembly action early week would return senate final vote enact bill would put california home one world big economies vanguard grow number u.s. state cities move recent years surpass federal minimum wage remain 7.25 hour since 2009. supporters say measure necessary help low-paid workers slip poverty due stagnant earn rise live expense opponents say raise mandatory wage floor put undue strain businesses still struggle rebound prolong u.s. economic slump measure would gradually raise california hourly minimum wage current level 10 15 2022 large businesses 2023 small firm also would head pair compete ballot initiatives lack provision allow governor suspend increase hard economic time deal breaker brown raise minimum wage crop many democratic candidates agendas ahead november elections issue could help galvanize supporters poll passage assure without back moderate democrats include business-friendly assembly members swing district recently hold bill priorities party progressive wing include plan cut state greenhouse gas emissions accord governor office 2.2 million californians earn state minimum wage 10 hour bill would ultimately benefit 5.6 million workers raise wag average 24 percent accord analysis university california berkeley retail employees account 16 percent affect workers restaurant employees 15 percent plan raise california minimum wage 15 clear key panel