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Making More Pays Less
July 2004 · Richard V. Burkhauser · New York Times
Ithaca — ALL of us can agree that people who play by the rules and work hard should not live in poverty. On the surface, it would seem that raising the minimum wage paid to workers would help them out. But statistics tell a different story, one that should be considered by state legislators who plan to consider whether to raise the minimum wage in New York… -
Hurting poor in name of helping them
May 2004 · Craig Garthwaite · The Orange County Register
A minimum wage hike is wending its way through the Assembly, and it’s a whopper. There’s hope that sanity will prevail in Sacramento, as it did in March in New Hampshire, where legislators had the good sense to kill a similar effort. If it doesn’t, many low-skilled workers may not last at their jobs long enough to see their wages increase, or be able to find jobs… -
Affleck is ‘Dazed and Confused’ over Kennedy’s minimum-wage bill
May 2004 · Craig Garthwaite · The Hill
The clash over increasing the minimum wage has begun. In one corner stands noted labor economist Ben Affleck, whose credits include such films as “Dazed and Confused.” In the other, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. In 2001, Greenspan told Congress that a minimum-wage increase would destroy jobs. The evidence on that, he said, is overwhelming. In the three intervening years, America has experienced a soft economy and… -
Benefits fail to reach their intended recipients
January 2004 · Craig Garthwaite · The Atlanta Journal Constitution
The commission appointed by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin to study a “living wage” law for Atlanta holds its first public hearing Friday. For nearly a year, the mayor has advocated a living wage, which would require firms doing business with the city to pay employees more than the federal minimum wage. In this she is supported by a variety of imported and home-grown union and activist groups… -
Higher minimum wage can be harmful
January 2004 · Craig Garthwaite · Times Union
Higher minimum wage can be harmful Gov. George Pataki’s lips have so far been sealed on his intentions for a statewide minimum wage hike early next year. But labor and political activists have been cranking up the volume. Earlier this month, they launched a statewide campaign to increase New York’s minimum wage 31 percent higher than the federal minimum. Last year, a similar proposal passed the state… -
Minimum Wage Hikes Hurt Less-Skilled
December 2003 · Craig Garthwaite · The New York Sun
Governor Pataki’s lips have so far been sealed on his intentions for a statewide minimum wage hike early next year but labor and political activists have been cranking up the volume. Earlier this month, they launched a statewide campaign to increase New York state’s minimum wage a whopping 31% higher than the federal minimum. Last year, a similar proposal passed the Legislature only to die a death…