California Lawmakers Push Minimum Wage Exemptions as Pay-To-Play Accusations Fly

California lawmakers are pushing for new exemptions to the state’s fast food minimum wage as controversy erupted over the state’s reported exemption for Panera Bread. California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved an exemption to the state’s $20 per hour minimum wage for fast-food employees to national fast-food chains with bakeries that sell bread as a standalone item, a narrow category that includes Panera. According to Bloomberg, billionaire Greg Flynn, who opposed the state-mandated fast-food wage increase, leaned into his connections with Newsom to secure the exemption for his two dozen Panera locations in California. Alex Stack, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, told The Center Square, that the accusation was "absurd," and that Newsom never met with Flynn regarding the legislation.