Minimum wage increases are not a very effective mechanism for reducing poverty. They are not related to decreases in poverty rates. They can cost some low-income workers their jobs. And most minimum wage earners who gain from a higher minimum wage do not live in poor (or near-poor) families. A...

This paper explores the effects of living wages on low-wage workers and low-income families. First, we update our earlier analyses, using data for 1996-2002, and address a number of criticisms of those analyses. We confirm our earlier findings that business assistance living wage laws boost...

This paper explores the effects of living wages on low-wage workers and low-income families. First, we update our earlier analyses, using data for 1996-2002, and address a number of criticisms of those analyses. We confirm our earlier findings that business assistance living wage laws boost...

This paper asks what governments in the EU Member States and some US states are doing to support workers on low wages. Using model family simulations, we assess the policy measures currently in place to guarantee an adequate disposable income to working families, taking into account minimum...

Boosting paychecks in America -- The political origins of federal taxes on individual income -- The political origins of the federal minimum wage -- Reagan, Bush, and a new era in the politics of boosting paychecks -- Clinton and the fight over tax relief for the working poor or the middle class...

This paper explores the effects of living wages on low-wage workers and low-income families. Using data for 1996-2002, it updates an earlier analysis, addresses criticisms of it, and confirms the finding that business assistance living-wage laws reduce overall urban poverty at the cost of some...