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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… -
Minimum Wage Hike Hurts Oregon’s Vulnerable Workers
December 2003 · Craig Garthwaite · The Oregonian
Why is it that Oregon’s entry-level job applicants faced the highest rate of unemployment in the nation in 10 of the past 11 months? Oregon’s unemployment rate is 24 percent higher than the national average, and 57 percent higher than it was three years ago when the rate began its upward climb. Oregon is not alone in experiencing this perpetual high state unemployment. Washington, Oregon and Alaska… -
High Minimum Wage Equals High Unemployment
December 2003 · Craig Garthwaite · Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Why is it that Washington state’s entry-level job applicants faced one of the highest rates of unemployment in the nation this year? The state’s unemployment rate is 15 percent higher than the national average and 42 percent higher than it was five years ago when the state introduced a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum. Washington state is not alone in experiencing this perpetual high state… -
A truly rotten export
October 2003 · Craig Garthwaite · Orange County Register
In recent years, the nation’s governors have gotten used to looking at California’s troubles with a mixture of relief and smug self-satisfaction. But as Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger worries how the Golden State will ever be able to afford the Health Insurance Act (SB 2) signed by Gov. Gray Davis in his administration’s twilight hours, he is far from the only state chief executive who should be concerned.…