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Readers Want Real Data to Inform Their Views
March 2013 · Michael Saltsman · Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Before they write another commentary arguing for a minimum-wage hike, Aaron Sojourner and Michael Reich should make sure they don’t base their argument on a disproven study (“Is a raise in order for Minnesotans?” Feb. 24). The 1994 study they cite, by David Card and Alan Krueger, was subsequently disproved by economists David Neumark and William Wascher. After correcting for substantial errors in the data set used… -
Minimum Wage is a Jobs Killer, Case Close
February 2013 · Michael Saltsman · Baltimore Sun
If Robert Reich is looking for “baloney” in the debate over minimum wage hikes, he should start with his recent commentary in The Sun (“The minimum wage and the meaning of a decent society,” Feb. 20). Contrary to Mr. Reich’s claim, the academic and economic consensus that wage hikes lead to job losses is overwhelming and based on far more than just vague claims. A nonpartisan review… -
Higher Minimum Wage Won’t Create Jobs
February 2013 · Michael Saltsman · Chicago Sun-Times
Gov. Pat Quinn’s claim that raising Illinois’ minimum wage by more than 20 percent will boost the economy and create jobs has been proven wrong on numerous occasions. Eighty-five percent of the most credible economic studies on the minimum wage from the last two decades point to job loss following a wage hike. And the hardest-hit demographic will be Illinois teenagers, who already face a 27 percent unemployment… -
Minimum Wage Claim is Bogus
January 2013 · Michael Saltsman · Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A recent Los Angeles Times article published in the Post-Gazette cites a claim by the Center for Economic and Policy Research that there is “little indication from economic research” that minimum wage hikes result in employment loss, (“Push for Minimum Wage Increase Intensifies,” Jan. 8). This is a bogus claim that relies on a handful of studies cherry-picked to fit their point of view. The academic consensus… -
Minimum Wage Hike a Bad Idea
January 2013 · Michael Saltsman · St. Paul Pioneer Press
Minnesota’s Legislature should think twice before increasing the state’s minimum wage (in the Senate version) by almost 30 percent to $9.38 (“Minnesota Legislature: Minimum wage hike, all-day K among 1st bills,” Jan. 10). Businesses that hire entry-level employees at the minimum wage — restaurants or grocery stores, for example — only keep 2 to 3 cents in profit from each sales dollar, and can’t just absorb the… -
Higher Minimum Wage Means Fewer Jobs
January 2013 · Michael Saltsman · Detroit News
In a recent Detroit News commentary (“Hike the Minimum Wage in 2013,” Jan. 5), Darius Ross of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage appeals to his professional experience to argue for a higher minimum wage. Mr. Ross’ affiliation is his undoing. Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is an advocacy group whose membership includes interior designers, self-employed artists, law school deans and chiropractors — none of whom…