Publications -- Minimum Wage

Sep 11, 2006

BA #571 – The Alternative Minimum Tax Threatens Middle-Income Families

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) enacted in 1978 was intended to tax the small number of wealthy individuals who, in any given year, legally owe no personal income tax due to the many exemptions allowed by the U.S. tax code.

May 04, 2006

BA #550 – The Negative Effects of the Minimum Wage

Various state legislators and interest groups around the United States are pushing for increases in the minimum wage. In California, for example, even Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger now advocates raising the state minimum wage from its current $6.75 an hour to $7.75 by July 2007. But when the minimum wage law confronts the law of demand, the law of demand wins every time. And the real losers are the most marginal workers - the ones who will be out of a job.

Feb 04, 2005

BA #499 – The Minimum Wage Is Bad Policy

The concept of a minimum wage seems straightforward: If we believe the wages of some workers are too low, we should pass a law requiring those wages to be higher. What could be simpler? The problem is that increasing the minimum wage may make some people better off, but others will be harmed. Experience proves that the minimum wage hurts more people than it helps.

Apr 11, 2003

BA #435 – Is Workers' Compensation a Model for Unemployment Insurance?

In the early 20th century, state governments and the District of Columbia set up Workers' Compensation (WC) systems to pay employees' lost income and medical expenses due to job-related accidents.

Mar 16, 2000

BA #315 – Prescription Drugs for Seniors: The Roth IRA Solution

Almost everyone agrees that the elderly need insurance coverage for prescription drugs. However, a growing number of health policy analysts believe that solving the problem of prescription drugs requires wholesale reform of Medicare. And fundamental Medicare reform may take a year or more to complete.

Oct 26, 1999

BA #306 – Health Insurance and the Minimum Wage

Political support is growing in Congress for another increase in the federal minimum wage. Bills now under consideration would raise the minimum hourly wage by $1, from $5.15 to $6.15, in two steps over the next year and a half. According to the Economic Policy Institute, about 11.8 million workers would be affected by a minimum wage increase. Although many of these are teen-agers and part-timers, almost one million are single mothers.

Jul 26, 1999

BA #302 – Five Principles of Social Security Reform

Politicians in both major parties now recognize that the existing Social Security system is unsustainable and must be reformed. The following are five principles that should govern our thinking about reform.

May 20, 1999

BA #292 – Minimum Wage Teen-age Job Killer

Congress appears likely to raise the minimum wage again this year, probably from $5.15 per hour to $6.15 over three years. This will be the second minimum wage increase passed by the Republican Congress. The last increase was enacted in 1996, raising the minimum wage from $4.25 to $4.75 on October 1, 1996, and to the present $5.15 per hour on September 1, 1997.

May 07, 1999

BA #290 – Why Not Abolish the Community Reinvestment Act?

Before a bank can merge with another bank - or even open a new branch - it must get permission from federal regulators. And in giving that permission, regulators are obliged by the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA), to consider whether the lender has served the entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Jun 09, 1998

BA #270 – Don't Raise the Minimum Wage - The Bar Is Already Too High

There are two ways to think about the minimum wage. The first - but misleading - is how much workers are going to get paid. The second - and correct - is how much people must be able to earn if they are going to get or keep a job. So the minimum wage, which is sometimes characterized as a "hand up, not a handout" is neither - it is a hurdle that trips up the least skilled.