Opinion: Making the business case for a $15 minimum wage

December 12, 2018

In today’s world, the primary beneficiaries of minimum wage increases are not teenagers. Instead they are adults and parents who are trying to meet their monthly rent, food and health care expenditures. Research on the minimum wage finds job losses associated with modest increases to the minimum wage are small – if they are present at all. Further, an increase does not trigger a spike in inflation and minimum wage increases are more likely to occur during times of plenty.

These rationales played a key role in getting New Jersey, along with 28 other states and the District of Columbia to increase their minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Unfortunately, these rationales have become less persuasive in efforts to increase our state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. At $8.44 per hour, our state’s minimum wage is far below peer states like New York, Connecticut, and California that have a similar cost of living. Further, Massachusetts has also passed a higher wage, and most recently two states with Republican administrations have done the same.

Opinion by William Rodgers III, NorthJersey.com, December 8, 2018

Recent Posts

From Fear to Freedom and Hope: Rafael Escalante (UG PP ’26)

Pursuing a college education and the American dream, Rafael Escalante departed the embattled South American nation and made his way to New Jersey Rafael Escalante escaped politically motivated persecution as a teenager in Venezuela to find his place – and a brighter...

NJSPL: Mapping Corporate Landlords in New Jersey

by Eric Seymour As part of our ongoing research project supported by the New Jersey State Policy Lab, we are examining the growth of corporate ownership in the state’s small residential property market. Our focus is on 1- to 4-unit properties, which, in addition to...

Samuel and Colleagues Examine the Rise of AI Phobia

Abstract Contemporary public discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) often exhibits a disproportionate level of fear and confusion relative to AI’s factually documented capabilities and implications. This study examines how the systematic use of alarmist...

Ralph, Johnson-Rodriguez Research ASE Perceptions

Do perceptions of speeding act as a barrier to automated speed enforcement in the United States? Highlights Many American adults do not believe speeding is particularly dangerous. Yet 65% of respondents believe their community should vote for automated speed...