July 12, 2024

DC, Chicago Lead Dozens of States and Cities into July Wage Hikes

More and more states, counties, and cities are instituting mid-year wage hikes – primarily based on adjustments for inflation. As minimum wage mandates reach new heights in some places across the country, the bulk of economic evidence shows drastic increases cost jobs, close businesses, and contribute to inflation.
July 5, 2024

Chicago’s Troubling Restaurant Trends Ahead of New Wage Hike

With a new tipped wage hike in place as of Monday, July 1, the latest data on job trends paints a harrowing picture for the future of Chicago’s restaurant industry. Lawmakers should watch these trends closely as the city begins eliminating its tip credit over the next few years.
June 28, 2024

Debunking Newsom’s Numbers Problem on California Fast Food Job Losses

Governor Gavin Newsom has questionable methods for finding numbers to support his misguided $20 minimum wage hike for fast food workers. On June 26, Governor Newsom released a statement claiming the fast food industry was adding jobs under the $20 minimum wage mandate. To make this claim, Newsom referenced…
June 21, 2024

DC’s Initiative 82 Has Slashed Restaurant Jobs No Matter How You Slice It

Anti-tipping activists have used Washington, D.C. as the cornerstone of their anti-tip credit agenda in other states and cities across the country. These activists have used questionable data and ignored the facts that indicate Initiative 82 has wreaked havoc on restaurants and their employees in the District. This May, D.C.
June 14, 2024

New York Tipped Employees Prefer the Current Tipping System to Flat Wage Alternatives

New York’s legislature adjourned last week, meaning two bills aiming to eliminate the state’s tip credit have an uncertain future until the session reopens in January. Anti-tip credit activists are now urging candidates to make tip credit elimination part of their campaigns ahead of the November election. But here’s a…
June 7, 2024

Michigan Minimum Wage Ballot Measure Goes Against “Econ 101”

Last Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against a One Fair Wage-backed ballot measure that would have raised Michigan’s minimum wage to $15 per hour, and eliminated the state’s tip credit. The proposed measure originally stalled with the state’s Board of Canvassers after the petition’s language was changed from the…
May 31, 2024

What’s the Status of State Minimum Wage Proposals?

This spring, several states saw bills and ballot measures to raise their minimum wages or eliminate their tip credits for tipped restaurant employees. EPI has been active at the state and local level warning against the adverse consequences of these measures, particularly for affected employees who may lose their jobs,…
May 24, 2024

93% of Tipped Workers Say They Prefer Ohio’s Current Tipping System

Activists in Ohio are gathering signatures in support of a ballot measure proposing a $15 minimum wage with full tip credit elimination. Tipped workers are not pushing for this change, but if certified, could be on the ballot before voters in November. A new survey of nearly 1,000 tipped employees…
May 17, 2024

Preview: California’s Fast Food $20 Wage Has Already Cost Jobs

California’s ill-advised $20 fast food industry minimum wage has been in place for just over a month, and has already triggered negative consequences for small restaurant owners, employees, and customers. Labor economists largely agree that such a drastic wage increase (from $16 per hour on January 1 up to $20…
May 10, 2024

EPI Warns California: West Hollywood is A Cautionary Tale On Sky-High Minimum Wages

This week, One Fair Wage organizers called for California to make the $20 minimum wage currently just for fast food employees apply statewide. Yet the group’s demands don’t line up with the consequences restaurants, employees, and residents are feeling through job losses, price hikes, and closure of local eateries. This…