Fighting Back Against San Diego’s $25 per Hour Wage Mandate

The Lincoln Club Business League opposes the San Diego City Council’s costly wage increase proposal.

Help us say NO on September 16th!

The Issue

• The San Diego City Council is considering a $25/hour minimum wage mandate on stadiums, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other local employers.
• The policy is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2026 if passed.
• While promoted as a way to help workers, the mandate will raise costs, eliminate jobs, and make San Diego less affordable for working families.

Why This Matters

• Higher Costs for Families
  Prices for restaurants, hotels, concerts, sporting events, and everyday experiences will rise sharply.

• Strained Local Businesses
  Employers will face unsustainable labor costs, leading to cutbacks in jobs, hours, and future investment.

• Worsening Affordability
  San Diego already has one of the highest inflation rates in the nation—this mandate pours fuel on the fire.

• Unequal Rules
  City government exempts itself from the same wage mandates it forces on private businesses.

Our Position

• The Lincoln Club Business League opposes the wage mandate.
• It is a misguided policy that hurts the very people it claims to protect—working families—by driving up costs and reducing opportunities.
• We believe in free-market solutions that keep San Diego affordable and competitive.
  
  

Better Solutions for Affordability

• Promote Fiscal Responsibility
  Demand city leaders control spending and avoid policies that fuel inflation.
• Cut Excessive Fees 
  Reduce burdensome city fees on parking, permits, and events.
• Streamline Permitting
  Speed up housing and business approvals to lower costs and encourage growth.
• Invest in Workforce Advancement
  Focus on education, skills training, and career pathways that grow middle-class incomes.