Saturday, November 19th, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Snap me, I'll Snap you back
Add me on Snapchat! Username: meste10 https://www.snapchat.com/add/meste10
Friday, May 13, 2016
Sunday, March 27, 2016
California Minimum Wage: Looking like $15
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California legislators and labor unions on Saturday reached a tentative agreement that will take the state's minimum wage from $10 to $15 an hour, a state senator said, a move that would make for the largest statewide minimum in the nation by far.
Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who stressed that the deal was not yet finalized, told The Associated Press the proposal would go before the Legislature as part of his minimum-wage bill that stalled last year.
Leno said the deal would avoid taking the issue to the ballot. One union-backed initiative has already qualified for the ballot, and a second, competing measure is also trying to qualify.
"This is an issue I've been working on for many years," Leno said. "The governor and stakeholders have all been negotiating earnestly and in good faith for some time."
Leno did not confirm specifics of the agreement, but most proposals have the wage increasing about a dollar per year until it reaches $15 per hour.
The Los Angeles Times, which first reported the deal, said the wage would rise to $10.50 in 2017, to $11 an hour in 2018, and one dollar per year to take it to $15 by 2022. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees would have an extra year to comply.
At $10 an hour, California already has one of the highest minimum wages in the nation along with Massachusetts. Only Washington, D.C., at $10.50 per hour is higher. The hike to $15 would make it the highest statewide wage in the nation by far, though raises are in the works in other states that might change by the time the plateau is reached in 2022.
Some states have passed higher minimums for government employees and state-contracted workers, and some cities including Seattle have already passed $15 an hour increases.
And Oregon officials approved a law earlier this month that will increase that state's minimum wage to nearly $15 in urban areas over the next six years.
California union leaders, however, said they would not immediately dispense with planned ballot measures.
Sean Wherley, a spokesman for SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, confirmed that his group was involved in the negotiations. But he said the group will continue pushing ahead with its initiative that has already qualified for the ballot.
"Ours is on the ballot. We want to be certain of what all this is," Wherley said. "We are going ahead with it. If some agreement is signed into law, then our executive board would decide what to do. They would only make that decision after any agreement is signed into law."
The union proposal that has already qualified for the ballot calls for reaching the $15 mark by 2021. The second proposed measure would reach $15 by 2020. Businesses and Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown have said such a steep wage increase would be incredibly costly.
Reference: Associated Press
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Division Tall Tales Speech Contest
On Oct. 3rd, 2015, I had the pleasure of representing area B3 in the Tall Tales area contest. With my first official speech contest under my belt, I won the honor of taking home the first place trophy for the area Tall Tales speech contest.
Walking away a first place winner not only made gave me a wonderful feeling of achievement, it also made me feel proud to be a reflection of my club, Lake Avenue Toastmasters. Without my clubs continuous evaluations and encouragement, I would not have been able to reach the mark.
Although I came in 3rd place for the division Tall Tales speech contest, the following Saturday, October 10th, 2015; it was superb satisfaction sharing my Tall Tales speech "Stolen Vacation," knowing that a real life event would end up being the start of something special. As I right this, I can't help but laugh at the hundreds of times I've been asked "why do you talk so loud?" Or, the hundreds of times I've been told "you talk to much." Well I guess I'll respond now by saying, because "I'm a Pivotal Toastmaster!"
Each contest brings about its own level of humour and fun, making for an unforgettable moment. All the contestants do a wonderful job. Each taking you on a fantastic voyage into their imagination. It was a pleasure, and an honor to participate.
Elaine Northington, MHRM
Vice President of Public Relations for Lake Avenue Toastmasters club #8360
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