For the second time in the past two years, Californians will be seeing an increase to minimum wage.  The first increase saw minimum wage reach $9/hour and took effect July 1^st, 2014.  This upcoming increase will be to $10/hour effective January 1^st.  While this minimum wage increase is being applied state wide, cities throughout California are taking it upon themselves to increase minimum wage beyond the signed $10 per hour bill.  San Francisco, and some surrounding communities, has agreed to increase minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2015, the City of Sacramento has agreed to increase the minimum wage to $12.50 per hour by 2020, and Los Angeles City Council approved a measure to increase minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020.  These increases are having negative effects on various industries, with some business owners being forced to reduce staff in order to pay for minimum wage hikes.  The unfortunate news is that the increases are not over.  There are currently two ballot measures asking voters to approve a $15 per hour, statewide minimum wage. Stay tuned for more wage updates in the upcoming year.