Indexing the Minimum Wage: A Vise on Entry-Level Wages
April 2009
Policies that index the minimum wage to inflation are becoming politically popular. Whether enacted through ballot initiatives or added as provisions on traditional minimum wage proposals, advocates have stepped up their efforts in recent years to tie wage hikes to specific economic indicators, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI). President Barack Obama’s proposals to combat poverty include mandating a $9.50 minimum wage by 2011…