460. The True Story of the Minimum-Wage Fight

Jacob Vigdor, an economist at the University of Washington, shares insights from his Seattle study on minimum wage increases. He discusses the paradox of rising wages yet reduced hours worked, igniting a fiery debate on the federal minimum wage. Listeners learn about the historical context and complexity surrounding a proposed $15 wage. The conversation touches on how higher wages might lead to job losses, automation, and differing impacts on various worker demographics. Vigdor sheds light on the broader implications for poverty alleviation amidst the economic chaos.