California and New York have affirmed their commitment to the $15 minimum or “living” wage. Although cities like Seattle have already implemented the living wage, this marks the first time an entire state has announced plans to enforce it.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, has argued that a living hourly wage should be a minimum requirement for employers. Arguments against the idea have surrounded the possibility that an increase in wages would cause job losses and inflation.
We think a statewide wage increase like California’s or New York’s could be a positive step, but more research is necessary to determine what kinds of economic impacts it might have.
Concerns surrounding the $15 minimum wage may be legitimate. Even in Seattle — often the poster child for a minimum wage hike — experts say there isn’t enough information to confirm whether the economic impacts have been positive or negative.
What’s clear is that many people in the Twin Cities area are angry about their low wages. In February, protests demanding a living wage for janitors stopped traffic in the streets. Other groups, like the Home Healthcare Aides, also took to the streets late last year.
We understand these protesters’ frustration, but it’s too early to declare whether the strides made by New York and California will have benefits which outweigh their costs.
Before Minnesota considers implementing $15 minimum wage, we want the state to ensure the policy will actually benefit the people it’s meant to support.
