Posted on 07/20/2014 1:51:17 PM PDT by lowbridge
But the state-by-state hiring data, released Friday by the Labor Department, provides ammunition to those who disagree. Economists who support a higher minimum say the figures are encouraging, though they acknowledge they don't establish a cause and effect. There are many possible reasons hiring might accelerate in a particular state.
"It raises serious questions about the claims that a raise in the minimum wage is a jobs disaster," said John Schmitt, a senior economist at the liberal Center for Economic and Policy Research. The job data "isn't definitive," he added, but is "probably a reasonable first cut at what's going on."
Just last week, Obama cited the better performance by the 13 states in support of his proposal for boosting the minimum wage nationwide.
"When ... you raise the minimum wage, you give a bigger chance to folks who are climbing the ladder, working hard.... And the whole economy does better, including businesses," Obama said in Denver.
In the 13 states that boosted their minimums at the beginning of the year, the number of jobs grew an average of 0.85 percent from January through June. The average for the other 37 states was 0.61 percent.
Nine of the 13 states increased their minimum wages automatically in line with inflation: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Four more states — Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island — approved legislation mandating the increases.
Twelve of those states have seen job growth this year, while employment in Vermont has been flat. The number of jobs in Florida has risen 1.6 percent this year, the most of the 13 states with higher minimums. Its minimum rose to $7.93 an hour from $7.79 last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Same baloney as with the other job statistics - lots more part-time and temporary jobs - NJ was probably one of those that raised the minimum wage (by vote last fall) - but most jobs we’ve seen lately have been summer jobs at the shore and picking produce - wait until the four casinos in Atlantic City close later this year and those 7000 plush jobs go bust.....
Recently announced in one retail store all employees go part-time and will work 4hr. shifts.... Management is resisting.
Managers taken of salary and put on hourly.
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