Sure That Will Help Low Wage Workers

Category: Undeniably Right Undeniably Right
Published: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019

The fallacy of increasing the minimum wage to help low wage workers has been proven to be just that, a fallacy, time and time again. Yet more and more governmental bodies at every level continue to push for an increased minimum wage, even though they realize it is actually hurting the very people they want to help.

Seattle was not the first city to implement such a plan but they may be one of the first to release the results of a comprehensive survey into the results. The analysis of the data and the city administration's reaction tell us everything we need to know about minimum wage laws and politicians.

The study gathered data from low wage workers and employers as well as governmental entities. Seattle had implemented a staggered increase starting at $11 and progressing to $13 currently. An analysis conducted by University of Washington professor Jonathan Meer revealed that workers in the target demographic actually lost 3.5 million hours per quarter after the minimum wage laws took effect. This was fairly evenly attributable to those that lost their jobs and those that saw a reduction in hours.

Among those that did keep their jobs, there was an average reduction in their paychecks of $125 a month. There were some that saw an increase in income, but of those that did, over 70% were working more hours to make up for the employees that were let go.

Of course, the restaurant industry was hit the hardest, especially in loss of jobs. A number of restaurants closed their doors because they couldn't successfully pass on the increased costs to their customers. Remember, it wasn't just their labor costs that increased, but the costs of many goods and services they purchased increased as well, which was directly attributable to the wage laws.

We've seen this scenario replayed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Santa Fe,, and everywhere else it has been tried. Despite the anecdotal and empirical evidence, more governmental bodies continue to push for an increased minimum wage. And those that have tried it and failed, don't abandon it.

In fact the Seattle Minimum Wage Report Team didn't like the results of the study they commissioned so they contracted with the University of Berkeley to give them a 2nd analysis along with suggestions as to how to 'tweak' the laws so that it will be successful. More evidence that it's not about the truth, it's about perception and pushing an agenda.

Do you think the increase in the homeless populations of the aforementioned cities has any cause and effect relationship with the implementation of these laws?

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.