
A Million Reasons to Raise the Minimum Wage
Optimist Economy
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Rethinking the Federal Minimum Wage
This chapter explores recent bipartisan efforts to increase the federal minimum wage, highlighting proposed legislation aimed at raising it to $15 and even $17 by 2030. It examines the historical context of the minimum wage, tracing its origins in the Great Depression and the Fair Labor Standards Act, while discussing the implications for various demographic groups. The chapter critiques the motivations behind minimum wage policies and addresses the disconnect between rising living costs and stagnant wage levels, emphasizing the pressing need for reform.
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