Introduction -- The history of the minimum wage in the United States -- The effects of minimum wages on employment …

We estimate the effects of Wal-Mart stores on county-level retail employment and earnings, accounting for endogeneity … employment results indicate that a Wal-Mart store opening reduces county-level retail employment by about 150 workers, implying … retail employment. The payroll results indicate that Wal-Mart store openings lead to declines in county-level retail earnings …

that minimum wages reduce employment, with the exception of high school dropouts. In contrast, evidence strongly suggests … that the EITC boosts employment of young women (although not teenagers). We also explore how minimum wages and the EITC … the EITC boosts employment and earnings for minority women, and coupling the EITC with a higher minimum wage appears to …