A minimum wage hike for healthcare workers in California was supposed to take effect this Saturday. But over the past week, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and his Democratic allies have worked feverishly on legislation to postpone it.

California Democrats haven’t suddenly become free-market acolytes. They’re worried that the wage increase, which may cost the state $4 billion this year, will sap the Golden State’s budget and force the government to make cuts elsewhere. They hope delaying the new minimum wage until July 1 will buy time for a more permanent solution.