September 2, 2026

California’s Minimum Wage Hikes Leave Restaurant Workers Behind

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom claimed California is adding jobs while also having some of the highest state minimum wage mandates in the country. However, the overall employment numbers he highlights tell us very little about how the state’s wage mandates are affecting the workers and industries most exposed…
Florida August 28, 2026

A $25 Minimum Wage Will Slash More FL Jobs

The Miami Herald claims affordability is top of mind for Florida voters this election season. It also claims State Rep. Angie Nixon has the answer: a $25 minimum wage. New data, and Florida’s history of wage hikes reaching $15 an hour next month, show this will hurt Floridians, not…
August 21, 2026

NEW STUDY: $25 Federal Min Wage Would Slash 5 Million Jobs

Sen. Chris Murphy says his $25 federal minimum wage bill makes sure “everyone is able to pay their bills.” But new EPI research shows it would eliminate 5 million jobs in the next five years, leaving millions of Americans without the jobs they rely on to pay those…
Colorado August 14, 2026

Denver’s Mile High Minimum Wage Problem

Many states and localities are beginning to announce their minimum wage increases for 2027. And if last week’s announcement from California seemed bad, take a look at Denver. The city recently announced its minimum wage will rise to $19.84 per hour next year, up from the current $19.29. But…
August 7, 2026

Newsom’s Latest Victory Lap Ignores CA Wage Hike History

Alameda County officials just hit the brakes on a proposal to raise the local minimum wage to $30 an hour. Rather than sending the measure directly to voters this November, the Board of Supervisors voted to delay it so the economic effects could be studied first. It’s a smart move…
July 31, 2026

Minimum Wage Hikes Are A Losing Platform for Workers

As we approach highly-anticipated midterm elections this November, some high profile Democrats are saying raising the federal minimum wage is a good political issue candidates should focus on. Most recently, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker claimed Congressional hopefuls and current lawmakers should push to raise the federal minimum wage as…
July 23, 2026

The Federal Min Wage Has Outpaced Inflation Since 1938

Wage hike activists have argued that the current federal minimum wage has fallen to its lowest purchasing power in decades because it has not been increased since 2009. However, inflation data show this claim is misleading. Instead, economists find raising minimum wages will have serious negative consequences for workers and…
July 17, 2026

Another Flawed Attempt to Link Minimum Wage and Rent

Wage hike activists routinely claim minimum wage hikes are necessary to creating a “living wage.” Their target wage amount typically hinges on arbitrary calculations of living costs that don’t align with workers’ living arrangements. A report claiming “Minimum-Wage Workers Can’t Afford Rent in Any of America’s Largest Cities” says wage…
District of Columbia July 10, 2026

DC Restaurant Closures Down 43% Following Initiative 82 Change

Washington D.C.’s restaurant industry may finally be seeing a small reprieve after years of disruption caused by Initiative 82. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington recently reported that restaurant closures have declined by 43% following the D.C. City Council’s decision to pause the remaining increases required under Initiative 82.
July 2, 2026

Here’s the Scoop: Ice Cream Costs 58% More in High Wage States

Nothing says summer like an ice cream cone, but depending on where you live, that scoop may cost a lot more than you expect. A review of single-scoop ice cream prices from a national ice cream chain reveals a not-so-sweet trend. Many of the most expensive scoops are found in…