Abstract This paper examines the effects of the minimum wage introduction in Germany in 2015 on the skilled crafts sector in Saxony-Anhalt. Using novel survey data on the skilled crafts sector in Saxony-Anhalt, we examine three questions: (1) How many employees are affected by the minimum wage...

Abstract: Public budgets in Germany developed favorable during the last years. Currently there is a broad discussion on how to spend unexpected budget surpluses: tax reductions and a various number of spending purposes are on the agenda. Many of the proposals overlook that existing surpluses...