I wouldn't be surprised if the new Congress votes to lower the minimum wage in January. But regardless of who wins control of the US Senate or which of fifteen candidates becomes the Mayor of Oakland, life is about to get noticeably better - if not good enough - for a lot of Oakland's workers.
Without even an organized opposition, Oaklanders are set to pass the highest generally applicable minimum wage in the country at $12.25/hr - to take effect March 2nd, 2015. The last polling taken was months ago, and showed upwards of 70% support. Workers at small businesses, big businesses, mom-and-pop businesses and non-profits, disabled workers, undocumented workers and teen workers will all, by law, be getting the new minimum wage - no exceptions. Plus at least five days of sick leave.
From the existing California minimum wage of $9.00/hr, that's a boost of about $6500 a year for a full time worker. (California's minimum wage will go up to $10.00/hr on Jan 1st, 2016.)
It's true that Seattle passed a $15/hr minimum wage, but it kicks in gradually, has complicated rules as to who gets a raise when, and is not going to reach or exceed $12.25/hr for a while. In April, 2015, it will go to $10/hr for some and $11/hr for others.
It's also true that San Francisco is voting on a $15/hr minimum wage ballot initiative, one that will also almost surely pass in the face of little to no organized opposition. If it becomes law, San Francisco's minimum wage would be scheduled to go to $12.25/hr on May 1st, 2015, mirroring Oakland, then continue rising in steps to $15/hr in 2018.
And SeaTac, a small town in Washington State, was the first to pass a $15/hr minimum wage, but currently it only applies to some workers and is facing litigation.
Thus, for for sixty days, Oakland will have the undisputed generally applicable maximum minimum wage in the United States.
This story does have Oaklanders living happily ever after, though. Wages will only increase each year by the CPI in Oakland, eventually leaving its workers behind San Francisco and Seattle in a city where, even if it is somewhat less expensive to live in than San Francisco, a livable wage is more like $20/hr, not $12.25.