Local activist Barry Hermanson has been working on placing an initiative on the ballot next year to raise the minimum wage in California. You may remember him from the successful effort to raise the minimum wage in San Francisco.

Those that care about economic justice issues owe a great deal to Barry. If not for him, we would not have the living wage ordinance in SF or the minimum wage ordinance.

Well today, Schwarzenegger announced that he wants to raise the minimum wage. His effort is much less than what Democrats or Hermanson want…But it is a great move that could blunt any effort by Democrats to use this against him next fall. Sort of like hiring Susan Kennedy, the faux Democrat who supported all of his initiatives last fall.

When I say great, I mean he is being strategic.