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In his latest State of the State address, Gavin Newsom proudly touted the state’s various minimum wage laws as promoting “fairness” for Californians. The speech drew applause, but for much of California’s restaurant workforce, the data shows reality has been far less celebratory. California is praised by anti-tip credit…

As a campaign promise, now-Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani pitched a $30 wage for the city. Now, it seems some state lawmakers are taking it even further – across the state. This week, New York state senators unveiled a new proposal to raise the minimum wage to…

For millions of residents, the cost of living in major metropolitan areas continues to climb, squeezing household budgets and forcing difficult tradeoffs on everything from housing to groceries. Sky-high minimum wage mandates may be making this problem worse. Policymakers often say higher minimum wages as a way to help workers…

The New York Times says new wage hikes in effect this year will raise pay and help Americans struggling with rising costs. Decades of studies on the effects of raising the minimum wage say otherwise. The authors are right to point out that affordability is top of mind for…

As dozens of states, cities, and counties are set to raise minimum wage rates in the New Year, one brand new study shows that labor groups pushing wage hikes up to $15 per hour has resulted in significant job losses for younger and entry-level workers. A forthcoming study by economists…

Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2028 Summer Games, yet the city may now be realizing the Olympic-sized consequences of a problem it created. The planned $30 minimum wage for hotel and tourism workers is raising concerns from local hotels and businesses, and now the Los Angeles City Council…

Some political strategists seem to think a $20 minimum wage is a winning campaign issue. Apparently they aren’t paying attention to what’s happening in some of the nation’s highest wage markets, like Colorado and California. Political strategist James Carville recently penned a New York Times essay calling for…

As the year comes to a close, states and cities are bracing for a new round of minimum wage hikes that will take effect in the New Year. More than 20 states and 80 cities and counties will increase their wage floors this year. The sky is the limit on…

As 2025 comes to a close, states and cities are already gearing up for a new wave of minimum wage proposals that could negatively impact local economies in the year ahead. From coast to coast, policymakers are pushing ambitious mandates that go far beyond what most regions have ever attempted.

Election Day brought mixed results for minimum wage ballot measures across the country. In Olympia, WA, residents voted against a proposed $20 minimum wage hike, which came as part of a larger package of extensive labor mandates. The vote reflects a growing awareness of the strain wage increases have…