Proponents of minimum wage increases have argued that such hikes can serve as an engine of economic growth and assist low-skilled individuals during downturns in the business cycle. However, a review of the literature provides little empirical support for these claims. Minimum wage increases...

Adams, Blackburn, and Cotti (ABC) found that increases in minimum wages were positively related to drunk driving-related traffic fatalities for those ages 16 to 20. The hypothesized mechanism for this relationship - increased alcohol consumption caused by minimum wage - induced income gains -...