1/30/12,
New Study: Past New York Wage Hike Caused Substantial Job Loss
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) announced a new study forthcoming in the April issue of Industrial and Labor Relations Review, which finds that the last state-legislated New York minimum wage increase had a substantial negative impact on the employment of 16-to-29 year-olds without a high school diploma. Specifically, employment for this group fell by 20.2 to 21.8 percent due to an increase in the state minimum wage.
1/11/12,
Speaker Oliver Misuses Minimum Wage Study
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) denounced New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver’s (D-Essex) careless misuse of research in support of her proposal to raise the state minimum wage.
12/1/11,
Flawed “Dining Guide” Recommendations from ROC-United Would Hurt Restaurant Employees
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) responded to Restaurant Opportunities Centers United’s (ROC) new dining guide. Though ROC claims to help restaurant employees, new research from economists at Miami and Trinity Universities demonstrates that their policy proposal on tipped income will actually hurt those they intend to help.
11/29/11,
San Francisco First in the Country with Minimum Wage above $10/Hour
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) announced that San Francisco, California will become the first in the country to raise the minimum wage above $10 an hour. The new wage rate in the city as of January 1, 2012 will be $10.24 an hour, a 32 cent increase from 2011. Eight states will also increase their minimum wage in 2012 due to indexing.
10/3/11,
New Wage Rates Will Cause Additional Lost Jobs
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) responded to recent announcements of minimum wage increases in four states (Montana, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington). These increases come with a myriad of real unintended consequences that are particularly harmful to less-educated and minority groups.
9/12/11,
Paid Sick Leave Legislation Ignores Unintended Consequences
Today, the Seattle City Council passed legislation (Bill No. 117216) requiring businesses to provide paid sick leave to their employees. This follows Connecticut’s similar legislation, the first state-wide sick leave mandate, which passed earlier this year. A sick leave initiative will appear on the ballot in Denver, Colorado, this November.
8/30/11,
Another Summer of High Teen Unemployment
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released an analysis of new Census Bureau data showing teen unemployment remains above 20 percent in 35 states through July 2011.
7/20/11,
New Study Warns of Affordable Care Act’s Billion-Dollar Misunderstanding
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new study of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), by Richard V. Burkhauser (Cornell University), Sean Lyons (Cornell University) and Kosali Simon (Indiana University). The authors find that, as a consequence of poorly-understood factors in the new law, millions of employees may willingly switch from an employer plan to a government subsidized insurance exchange--even if their employer continues to offer coverage.
7/8/11,
Teen Unemployment Continues to Rise
An analysis of recently-released Census Bureau data by the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) shows teen unemployment continues to rise. As of May 2011, teen unemployment in seven states and the District of Columbia was still averaging over 30 percent.
5/5/11,
New Study Warns of Employment Crisis for Minority Young Adults
Today, with employment levels for young adults at historically low levels, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new study by economists William E. Even of Miami University and David A. Macpherson of Trinity University that quantifies the unequal harm to minority young adults from minimum wage mandates.
4/4/11,
New Analysis: 25 States Still Have Teen Unemployment Rates Above 25 Percent
An analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) shows that 25 states had teen unemployment rates above 25 percent, according to the most recent data available. Nationally, the teen unemployment rate rose slightly to 24.5 percent in March 2011; the rate for black teens rose to 42.1 percent.
3/8/11,
Twelve States Considering Legislation to Raise Or Index Their Minimum Wage
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new study by nationally-known economist Dr. Bradley R. Schiller, which largely refutes conventional wisdom about adults earning the minimum wage. This research is particularly relevant now, as twelve states across the country consider further increasing their state minimum wage or indexing it to inflation.
12/14/10,
New Analysis Shows Living Wage Advocates Grossly Exaggerate Support
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released an analysis of the labor-backed Economic Policy Institute’s oft-cited list of 665 economists who support a higher minimum wage. The EPI analysis finds that the list – most recently used in a report by the Fiscal Policy Institute and National Employment Law Project defending a living wage proposal in New York City – features many signers that aren’t labor economists and others that aren’t economists at all.
12/7/10,
New Study: Minimum Wage Increases Do Not Boost the Economy
a new study by economist Dr. Joseph J. Sabia of the United States Military Academy at West Point which finds that—contrary to some advocates’ claims—minimum wage increases do little to stimulate the overall economy. The research also shows that wage hikes can have a negative effect on state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) generated by certain lower-skilled industries.
8/31/10,
Employment for Minimum Wage Workers Falls by Over 10 Percent after Hike
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new study by economists Nicole Coomer of the Workers Compensation Research Institute and Walter Wessels of North Carolina State University that shows how increases in the minimum wage have a disproportionately harmful impact on those who work in minimum wage jobs.
6/29/10,
New Study Suggests Less Literate Adults Could Be Harmed By Wage Mandates
Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new study exploring the important role literacy plays in labor market success for the 30 million Americans whose literacy level is considered “below basic.” The author, Dr. William C. Wood of James Madison University, points to well-intentioned policies like minimum wage increases that can unintentionally keep these less literate individuals out of work.
6/18/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 33.6 Percent in Arizona
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in Arizona was 33.6 percent as of April 2010 – the fourth highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/18/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 34.2 Percent in California
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in California was 34.2 percent as of April 2010 – the third highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/18/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 28.6 Percent in Florida
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in Florida was 28.6 percent as of April 2010 – the eighth highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/18/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 33.1 Percent in Oregon
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in Oregon was 33.1 percent as of April 2010 – the fifth highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/18/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 28.6 Percent in South Carolina
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in South Carolina was 28.6 percent as of April 2010 – the eighth highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/16/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 32.7 Percent in Washington
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in Washington was 32.7 percent as of April 2010 – the seventh highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/16/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 34.6 Percent in Nevada
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in Nevada was 34.6 percent as of April 2010 – the second highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/16/10,
New EPI Analysis Shows Teen Unemployment Rate Averages 27.5 Percent in Illinois
A new EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data estimates that the average unemployment rate for teens in Illinois was 27.5 percent as of April 2010 – the thirteenth highest in the country. Economists point to the consequences of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and increases in state and federal minimum wages.
6/4/10,
Unemployment Remains Near 30 Percent for 16 to 17-Year-Olds
New data released today from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the unemployment rate for 16 to 17-year-olds rose to 29.8 percent in May, the third highest it has ever been. The number of employed 16 to 17-year-olds fell by 24,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis.
5/21/10,
Nevada Unemployment Rate Rises To 13.7 Percent
New data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that Nevada's unemployment rate rose to 13.7 percent in April 2010 – the highest unemployment rate on record for the Silver State.
4/16/10,
Florida Unemployment Rate Rises To 12.3 Percent
New data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that Florida's March 2010 unemployment rate was a record-high 12.3 percent, rising from 9.6 percent in March 2009.
4/16/10,
Nevada Unemployment Rate Rises To 13.4 Percent
New data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that Nevada's March 2010 unemployment rate was a record-high 13.4 percent, rising from 10.6 percent in March 2009.
4/8/10,
New EPI Analysis Reveals Recession, Wage Mandates Combine to Nearly Triple Long-Term Teen Unemployment
A new analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data by the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) found a dramatic 174 percent increase in the percentage of unemployed teens spending 6 months or more looking for work. Economists blame the dire entry level job market on a combination of factors: the worst recession since the Great Depression and a series of ill-timed, government mandated wage hikes.
8/7/09,
July Unemployment Numbers Reveal Minimum Wage Impact
Politicians continue to use minimum wage hikes as a “feel good policy,” without regard for current economic conditions or the decades of research showing their negative effects on job growth. This summer teens were hit especially hard by the wage increase and the full effects will be felt for years to come.”
7/6/09,
Are Summer Jobs ‘Going Out of Business?’
New employment data released Thursday, July 2 confirmed what economists (and parents of teenagers across the country) feared – the bad economy and increasing federal minimum wage have had a disastrous effect on teens looking for jobs this summer.
4/17/09,
At least 40,000 Jobs Lost As a Result of Oregon’s Automatic Indexing
The study, by Oregon economist and Pacific University professor Eric Fruits, finds that higher minimum wage policies in Oregon and neighboring Washington are associated with an increase in unemployment. The study found that if Oregon’s minimum wage was equal to the lower federal minimum wage rate, the state’s unemployment rate would have been 6.2 percent. The difference represents approximately 40,000 lost jobs in the state over that six year period.
3/6/09,
Teen Unemployment Skyrocketing in Weak Economy
The weak economy is combining with high mandated wage levels to create the perfect storm of unemployment for less experienced and less educated groups like teenagers and adults without a high school degree
12/22/08,
Study: Obama Wage Hike Not The Right Solution
roposed Earned Income Tax Credit Much More Efficient At Curbing Poverty
WASHINGTON – The Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new study today showing that President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed increase in the minimum wage would be an extremely inefficient method for helping the working poor.
5/27/08,
New Ad in Hartford Courant Blasts Proposed Connecticut Minimum Wage Hike
Today the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) criticized a proposed increase to Connecticut’s minimum wage with a full-page print advertisement in the Hartford Courant. The ad highlights quotes by renowned economists Alan Greenspan, Milton Friedman, and Gary Becker who believe that minimum wage hikes kill jobs and hurt low-skilled and less educated members of the workforce.
12/7/07,
New Unemployment Numbers Show Increase Among Teens
This bleak employment outlook for vulnerable members of the workforce comes on the heels of a federal minimum wage hike. Decades of economic research show that mandated wage hikes eliminate entry-level jobs, putting particular pressure on young minorities and the least educated.
7/24/07,
Majority of Labor Economists Believe Minimum Wage Hikes Cause Unemployment
An overwhelming majority of American labor economists agree that minimum wage hikes are an inefficient way to address the needs of poor families, according to a new national survey of the American Economic Association (AEA). The survey was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center and sponsored by the Employment Policies Institute.
5/29/07,
Minimum Wage Hike is an Empty Promise for Low-Income Families
On May 25, President Bush quietly signed a bill raising the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25, but the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) warns that minimum wage hikes are a failed anti-poverty tool and have historically put low-skilled Americans out of work.
12/1/06,
Minimum Wage Hike Threatens Healthy U.S. Economy
Despite the flourishing U.S. economy and record low unemployment level, low-skilled jobs—such as the retail and leisure and hospitality industries—are in decline. These jobs will be further threatened by the prospect of a federal minimum wage hike, warns the Employment Policies Institute (EPI).
10/31/06,
ACORN in Hot Water Again for Voter Fraud
Washington, DC–ACORN is once again under scrutiny by elections officials, the public, and the press for apparent voter registration fraud in Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These accusations are only the most recent in the group’s notorious history that includes ties to voter fraud in 12 states, as outlined in a report by the Employment Policies Institute [EPI].
10/12/06,
650 Economists May Support a Minimum Wage Hike, but Over 13,000 Believe it Will Destroy Jobs
The Economic Policy Institute has managed to find 650 economists who support raising the minimum wage, but the Employment Policies Institute points to a survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire revealing that 77% (13,860) of labor economists with the American Economics Association believe minimum wage hikes have a negative effect on employment.
9/26/06,
New Study Shows Minimum Wage Hike Is a Job Killer for Arizona
A new study commissioned by the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) on the impact of Arizona’s proposed minimum wage increase shows that not only would a hike put over 4,600 Arizonans out of work, but nearly 70% of the benefits would go to families that aren’t poor.
7/6/06,
New Report Reveals the Truth About ACORN
A new report released today by the Employment Policies Institute reveals the truth behind the community group ACORN, including new information about the group’s hypocrisy over paying their employees the minimum wage, ties to voter fraud, federal grant violations, and union-busting.
6/13/06,
Federal Minimum Wage Hike Approved by Wrong House Committee Targets Wrong People
The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation today that would raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. According to the Employment Policies Institute [EPI], the average family income of those who would benefit from the increase is $45,580 a year. A full House vote on the issue is expected as early as next week.
6/5/06,
NY’s Fair Share Bill: Up to 100,000 Jobs Lost, $9.2 Billion Hit to Business
As the New York Senate holds a committee hearing today to explore ways of increasing healthcare coverage in the state, the Employment Policies Institute [EPI] recommends policies that will reduce healthcare costs for the individual rather than expensive and ineffective employer mandates that will put low-skilled employees out of work.
5/4/06,
U.S. House Panel Holds Hearing on Impact of Employer Healthcare Mandates
A panel under the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing today on the impact of employer-provided healthcare mandates. Craig Garthwaite, research fellow in economics for the Employment Policies Institute [EPI], testified on the resultant job loss, immense cost, and overall ineffectiveness of these mandates in covering the uninsured.
4/21/06,
Albuquerque Minimum Wage Hike Will Cost Jobs
The Albuquerque City Council’s decision to raise the minimum wage will put low-skilled employees out of work. Citing the 540 lost jobs and 16% increase in unemployment that followed Santa Fe’s minimum wage increase in 2004, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) warns Albuquerque leaders that their city will suffer similar consequences.
4/12/06,
Solving the healthcare problem: Massachusetts vs. New York
While the country works to solve the healthcare problem, both Massachusetts and New York have proposed very different solutions to reduce the number of uninsured in their states. While Massachusetts’ proposal is designed to seriously tackle the problem of the uninsured, New York’s is not only largely ineffective, but will cost up to 100,000 jobs.
3/29/06,
California Minimum Wage Hike Will Result in Job Loss for Low-skilled
The California State Legislature will hold hearings today over three bills to increase the minimum wage and the Employment Policies Institute [EPI] advises lawmakers not to ignore decades of economic research concluding that mandated wage hikes put low-skilled employees out of work.
2/15/06,
Raising New Mexico’s minimum wage will result in devastating job loss for low-skilled employees;
As New Mexico legislators debate a hike in the state’s minimum wage, the Employment Policies Institute advises lawmakers to learn from the devastating consequences of Santa Fe’s living wage ordinance which included job loss, involuntary part-time employment, and perhaps most surprisingly, no significant increase in income for those earning at the lowest 10th, 25th or 50th percentile.
1/26/06,
EPI-Sponsored Research Offers Market-Based Solutions to the Healthcare Crisis
President Bush’s strategy to address the nation’s ailing healthcare system is expected to draw heavily from the counsel of economists R. Glenn Hubbard, John F. Cogan, and Daniel Kessler, who recently encapsulated their recommendations in the peer-reviewed journal Health Affairs. This influential work was sponsored by the Employment Policies Institute (EPI).
1/18/06,
Think Raising the Minimum Wage is a Good Idea? Think Again.
Today, the Employment Policies Institute [EPI] is running a full-page ad in the Washington Post asking the public to rethink the notion that minimum wage hikes are a good idea. The timing of the ad coincides with the introduction of federal legislation to hike the minimum wage by over 40 percent.
11/22/05,
“Son of 72” sequel as bad as the first
The Worker Health Care Security Act introduced today is strikingly similar to last year’s Proposition 72 which, according to research by the Employment Policies Institute (EPI), would have resulted in lost jobs for Californians.
6/8/05,
Massachusetts Health Insurance Mandate Could Trigger Harsh Unintended Consequences
Low-skill employees could see dramatic job loss from a health insurance mandate under consideration in the Massachusetts legislature. A new Employment Policies Institute (EPI) study looks at the potential labor market consequences of health insurance mandates with which many state legislatures are experimenting as a solution to reducing the number of the nation’s uninsured.
3/7/05,
Senator Kennedy Ignores Economic Reality of Minimum Wage Increases
Senator Kennedy claims that his minimum wage increase is a family issue because many of the beneficiaries are women with children. He does not mention that only 8 percent of the benefits from his wage increase will be single mothers, and only 4 percent will be single mothers in poverty.
2/14/05,
Who will really benefit from New Jersey's minimum wage hike?
The Employment Policies Institute (EPI) testified today before the New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee on the negative economic consequences of raising the state minimum wage to $7.15 per hour. EPI presented figures from the U.S. Census Bureau that show the vast majority of the benefits of such an increase will not reach its intended target—New Jersey’s working families.
2/10/05,
Who will really benefit from Maryland's Minimum wage hike?
The Employment Policies Institute (EPI) testified today before the Maryland State Senate Finance Committee on the negative economic consequences of raising the state minimum wage to $6.15 per hour. EPI will present figures from the U.S. Census Bureau which show that the vast majority of the benefits of such an increase will not reach its intended target--Maryland’s low-income working families.
10/19/04,
Proposition 72 Myths
“Yes on 72” Campaign Distorting Costs of Job-Killing Health Care Mandate
9/27/04,
New Study Says Passage of Proposition 72 Would Destroy Up to 150,000 Jobs
A new study by The Employment Policies Institute (EPI) reveals that Proposition 72, which would require all employers in the state of California with 20 or more employees to provide full medical insurance for their employees, will cost businesses up to $12.9 billion per year and result in as many as 150,000 lost jobs.
6/18/04,
Sen. Kerry vs. Nobel Prize Economists
Washington – While John Kerry calls for a 36% increase in the minimum wage, the majority of economic research, including the statements of five Nobel Prize-winning economists, continue to show that raising the minimum wage is a dangerous political ploy that will only serve to make life harder for the nation’s least skilled employees.
9/2/03,
Who Really Benefits From A Minimum Wage Hike?
Upon returning to session, Congress will be facing a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage to $6.65 an hour. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, those who would most benefit from the $1.50 increase are not from poor families.
8/11/03,
ACORN is Dishonest Broker for Florida Workers
The national union organization leading the effort to hike Florida's minimum wage to $6.15 once sued the state of California in order to avoid paying its own employees the state minimum wage.
7/14/03,
San Francisco Residents Oppose Minimum Wage Hike
A new poll taken on behalf of the Employment Policies Institute finds low support for San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzales' proposed minimum wage hike among San Francisco residents.
5/1/03,
May Day or Dis-May Day for ACORN?
An EPI report shows that the national labor activist group busted unionization efforts of its own employees, sued to avoid paying workers minimum wage, and abused a government grant to boost its own membership.