*By Christian Smith*
Congressman Ro Khanna wants to inspire companies to do better by their workers.
"It's absurd that you have multi-billion dollar companies, trillion-dollar companies that aren't able to pay their workers $15," Rep. Khanna said Friday in an interview on Cheddar.
That's why the prominent House progressive, who represents California's Silicon Valley, is teaming up with ex-presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to introduce legislation that would place a tax on large corporations ー money that is equivalent to the amount of federal benefits their low-income employees receive to make a livable wage.
Rep. Khanna's House bill is called the "Corporate Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act" and targets large companies across industries, including tech, retail, and fast food, he said.
Sanders was a little more pointed with his version, dubbed the "Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies Act." That's Stop BEZOS, if you didn't notice.
Rep. Khanna said that Amazon has responded to the Sanders bill, saying the company creates safe working spaces for employees and offers competitive benefits. But the Congressman said the point of benefits is a separate matter.
"They're still not addressing the fundamental point," Khanna said.
"Why can't they just come out and say they're going to pay every employee in our company at least a $15 wage so they can have a livable wage?"
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/congressman-ro-khanna-wants-major-corporations-to-improve-worker-pay-or-pay-more-in-taxes).
Kansas Rep. Stephanie Clayton is leaving the Republican Party behind after the GOP leaders in her state pulled their support for a bipartisan plan to fund the local education system in what she called a "power play" to damage the incoming Democratic governor.
When U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions moved to undermine Obama-era marijuana industry protections in January, there was little indication how pivotal 2018 would prove to be for the cannabis industry. As 2019 approaches, Cheddar is now looking ahead to next year and forecasting what's in store for the U.S. marijuana industry.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018.
As Cheddar reflects on 2018, we are profiling the most innovative, flamboyant, and often-controversial entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who delivered the year's most memorable moments in business. Of the CEO Class of 2018, who was crowned Biggest Flirt? Class Clown? Cheddar's Sleeper Success Award Goes to Satya Nadella.
2018 was a dramatic year on the political stage ー but more drama is yet to unfold as new players enter the scene, promising more disruptions in Washington. In anticipation of a new year and a new Congress, we’re gazing into Cheddar’s Crystal Ball to bring you our predictions for the politicos to watch.
After a Christmas Eve plunge that sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling 650 points, stocks spiked in a massive rally on Wednesday, with the Dow booking the largest single day of point gains in its history.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.
Hopes of a Santa Claus Rally were dashed on Monday, as markets accelerated their declines on Christmas Eve in the wake of one of the Trump administration’s most tumultuous weeks yet. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 650 points on Monday, putting markets on pace for their worst December since the Great Depression.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
With uncertainty in Washington over a looming government shutdown, investors are keeping an eye on Wall Street. As stocks look to close at their worst spot in a decade, one expert says we have yet to hit the bottom. Jason Rotman from Lido Isle Advisors talked to Cheddar about what investors can expect in the new year.
