February 16, 2016

Union Think Tank’s Rose-Colored Conclusions

Recently, the union-backed Economic Policy Institute released a study that determined, “raising wages would significantly reduce reliance on public assistance.” They reached this conclusion after examining eligibility data on federal and state means-tested programs for low-income families and making projections based on this information. But in doing so they conveniently…
February 3, 2016

Media Matters vs. The Truth about Wage Hikes

Proponents of a higher minimum wage are determined to make their case no matter how much evidence piles up against them. It’s like a lawyer who knows he’s been handed a bad case but the law says he must be a zealous advocate no matter how insurmountable the odds. Case…
Kentucky February 1, 2016

Policy Brief: The Impact of a $10.10 Minimum Wage in Kentucky

Policy Brief: The Impact of a $10.10 Minimum Wage in Kentucky Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo recently introduced legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. Stumbo and other proponents argue that a minimum wage increase will, on net, be a benefit for Kentucky employees. But the evidence, including a…
Research January 29, 2016

What’s in a (Brand) Name? A Comparison Of Minimum Wage Effects on Franchise and Non-Franchise Businesses

What’s in a (Brand) Name? A Comparison Of Minimum Wage Effects on Franchise and Non-Franchise Businesses One unique feature of recent local minimum wage battles is the focus on franchise businesses. In Seattle, for instance, a minimum wage of…
District of Columbia January 26, 2016

Washington, DC’s, Lesson in Unintended Consequences

Walmart recently announced plans to close 154 of its U.S. locations by the end of the month.  Among the list of closures are stores in high-minimum wage markets including Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Jose. But just as notable as the locations the retailer is closing are the…
Research December 18, 2015

The Effects of Minimum Wage Increases on Means-Tested Government Assistance

The Effects of Minimum Wage Increases on Means-Tested Government Assistance One of the more popular contemporary arguments for raising the minimum wage is that it will save taxpayers money. Specifically, proponents of a higher minimum wage have argued that…
Research November 18, 2015

Survey of US Economists on a $15 Federal Minimum Wage

Survey of US Economists on a $15 Federal Minimum Wage The University of New Hampshire Survey Center conducted a survey of economists for the Employment Policies Institute (EPI). The specific areas of interest are economists’ opinions on a $15 minimum…
November 13, 2015

The Impact of a $12 Federal Minimum Wage

The “Raise the Wage Act,” introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-CA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) in March 2015 would raise the federal minimum wage by 66 percent to $12 an hour. The legislation received a high-profile backer this fall in Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Proponents say that such a…
Maine October 30, 2015

Should Portland Listen to “Patriotic” Millionaires?

Voters in Portland, ME, will next week decide at the ballot box whether to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. It’s a controversial proposal: The City Council just increased the city’s minimum wage  to $10.10 an hour, and many local voices — including the editorial board of the Press-Herald and…