Seattle minimum-wage hike did nothing for workers

BY ED MORRISSEY

Democrats, the media, and now even the Republican presidential nominee push a minimum-wage hike as a way to get more money to workers. Does that actually succeed? Seattle pushed its minimum wage up by $1.53 an hour to $11 last year, so workers should be rolling in extra dough by now, right? Er ... wrong.

In fact, a new study reported by the Washington Post suggests workers actually lost money overall — and that the potential upside only amounted to pennies for those workers who didn't end up on the unemployment line:
The average hourly wage for workers affected by the increase jumped from $9.96 to $11.14, but wages likely would have increased some anyway due to Seattle's overall economy. Meanwhile, although workers were earning more, fewer of them had a job than would have without an increase. Those who did work had fewer hours than they would have without the wage hike.

Accounting for these factors, the average increase in total earnings due to the minimum wage was small, the researchers concluded. Using their preferred method, they calculated that workers' earnings increased by $5.54 a week on average because of the minimum wage. Using other methods, the researchers found that the minimum wage hike actually caused total weekly earnings to drop — by as much as $5.22 a week.

http://hotair.com/archives/2016/07/29/wapo-seattle-minimum-wage-hike-did-nothing-for-workers-you-know/

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But that doesn't stop the socialists in both parties from pushing for a national minimum wage hike. Facts mean nothing to politicians. If it sounds good and attracts voters, hell run with it. Who cares about the outcome. 

Are they saying the higher salaries and strong Seattle tech and construction sectors are trickling down and saving the minimum wage victims from an even worse scenario?

Quote from: taxed on July 30, 2016, 11:54:48 AM
Are they saying the higher salaries and strong Seattle tech and construction sectors are trickling down and saving the minimum wage victims from an even worse scenario?

And they keep asking.  Why do I have to work 3 or 4 part time jobs to get a 40 hr week.  You can't fix stupid!!!

Quote from: walkstall on July 30, 2016, 12:44:41 PM
And they keep asking.  Why do I have to work 3 or 4 part time jobs to get a 40 hr week.  You can't fix stupid!!!

I have even heard some democrats using Seattle as an example that the higher minimum wage has no impact on the workers.

Quote from: supsalemgr on July 30, 2016, 12:55:40 PM
I have even heard some democrats using Seattle as an example that the higher minimum wage has no impact on the workers.

There like Hillary and Trump "the first liar have a chance."

Quote from: supsalemgr on July 30, 2016, 12:55:40 PM
I have even heard some democrats using Seattle as an example that the higher minimum wage has no impact on the workers.

They can get away with those lies because people want to believe that the minimum wage hike will help them. Of course, the leftists in the media help them believe those lies. It's oonly when reality strikes that they wake up. Some don't even then.

Quote from: supsalemgr on July 30, 2016, 12:55:40 PM
I have even heard some democrats using Seattle as an example that the higher minimum wage has no impact on the workers.

I am not an CPA but my brother is.  But I would think they would jump up into a new tax bracket.  So I would think it more money for the Government/State/SS then the worker.

Quote from: tac on July 30, 2016, 06:12:57 AM
Seattle minimum-wage hike did nothing for workers

BY ED MORRISSEY

Democrats, the media, and now even the Republican presidential nominee push a minimum-wage hike as a way to get more money to workers. Does that actually succeed? Seattle pushed its minimum wage up by $1.53 an hour to $11 last year, so workers should be rolling in extra dough by now, right? Er ... wrong.

Hot Air is a conservative American political blog. It is written by the pseudonymous Allahpundit, Ed Morrissey, Mary Katharine Ham, Erika Johnsen, and Jazz Shaw on the weekends.
-Wikipedia.


not counting that the source is less than ...I don't even know what to say its like asking your drunk uncle Ned what he thinks about minimum wage....ok....


I know several HR people in Seattle area and their businesses have had about zero impact with this.


Now, I don't know if $15 is the number it seems random but I do know if we look back to 1968 and adjust for inflation the number we get today is about $11.00 which is where my state also is headed this year and even though the CPI is made up at least I can appreciate the effort to tie this to some logical number because $7.25 is stupid for the United States of America.

lets look at the economics.  When someone making minimum wage gets a wage what happens?  THEY SPEND IT!!!  Almost all people living on their own making minimum wage SPEND ALL THEIR MONEY just to live! And that money goes DIRECTLY into the economy consuming something...products, services, something...and it creates demand which creates JOBS.

raising the minimum wage in a MODERATE manner will GROW our economy for all of us.


FAct is you guys have a choice to make, either belly up to the bar and start to discuss these things and find some common ground (with US) or keep hitting yourselves in the head getting angrier and angrier... because the nation is moving ahead with or without you...and we are not going back to 1850 or even 1950.

so you have a long future of political defeats if your strategy is to cling to immovability on anything and everything.


The world is different than the man behind the curtain is telling you.  And together we can accomplish great things.  But alone, you will be complaining about everything for a long time to come.  Unless this is what you want.  In that case, forget everything I just said because it wont matter anyway.


I'm just saying. 


Enjoy the weekend its a great time to be an American!!!

Quote from: Steve,SPHR on July 30, 2016, 04:35:35 PM

Hot Air is a conservative American political blog. It is written by the pseudonymous Allahpundit, Ed Morrissey, Mary Katharine Ham, Erika Johnsen, and Jazz Shaw on the weekends.
-Wikipedia.


not counting that the source is less than ...I don't even know what to say its like asking your drunk uncle Ned what he thinks about minimum wage....ok....

Irrelevant, if it wasn't right wing, then it would be left wing, there is no such thing as neutral anymore.

QuoteI know several HR people in Seattle area and their businesses have had about zero impact with this.

Anecdotal at best. If your industry can afford an HR dept, then most likely you're not paying entry level min wage for long.

QuoteNow, I don't know if $15 is the number it seems random but I do know if we look back to 1968 and adjust for inflation the number we get today is about $11.00 which is where my state also is headed this year and even though the CPI is made up at least I can appreciate the effort to tie this to some logical number because $7.25 is stupid for the United States of America.

lets look at the economics.  When someone making minimum wage gets a wage what happens?  THEY SPEND IT!!!  Almost all people living on their own making minimum wage SPEND ALL THEIR MONEY just to live! And that money goes DIRECTLY into the economy consuming something...products, services, something...and it creates demand which creates JOBS.

raising the minimum wage in a MODERATE manner will GROW our economy for all of us.

Pure bull shit! Unbridled capitalism as in free mkt principal grows the economy, in that it will always find middle ground in what is best for employee and employer, it is not an adversarial relationship as the way the left wants it, so they can control the masses.

QuoteFAct is you guys have a choice to make, either belly up to the bar and start to discuss these things and find some common ground (with US) or keep hitting yourselves in the head getting angrier and angrier... because the nation is moving ahead with or without you...and we are not going back to 1850 or even 1950.

No, you listen up! You either allow us to run business with as little govt interference, or kiss small business good bye.
I know, I remember when the leftists pushed another min wage on me back in the 80s, I was forced to lay two people off, one part time one full time so as to offset the increase.
Most small business struggle where payroll is concerned, which is why the future of franchise is looking to kiosks and no employees.
Yeah, your so called liberal caring is killing small business, and hurting people.

Quoteso you have a long future of political defeats if your strategy is to cling to immovability on anything and everything.


The world is different than the man behind the curtain is telling you.  And together we can accomplish great things.  But alone, you will be complaining about everything for a long time to come.  Unless this is what you want.  In that case, forget everything I just said because it wont matter anyway.


I'm just saying. 


Enjoy the weekend its a great time to be an American!!!

That man behind the curtain is Soros! Yes, the commie is the one feeding this min wage bull shit. So quit being so damned gullible!

Minimum wage requirements really make starting a small business difficult.

Today, I was at an event, from 8am til 2pm - 6 hours of potential "sale" time.
I earned $10, "S" earned $26, "Z" earned $14.
Yeah, sales sucked for all 3 of us, the business grossed $249 total.
After I take out travel expenses, table rentals, tickets & commissions, we have $89 left.
When I take out the cost to manufacture the finished product we sold, $92, you can see we lost money.
What I didn't account for is breakfast, and lunch, biscuits and sandwiches - nobody made anything, we each dug into our pockets today.

Tell me I have to pay minimum wage to a "non-performer" who can't sell squat, but wants to learn, I'm left with 2 outcomes.

a.  They will never have the opportunity to learn this highly marketable skill, because I'd go broke before they could pay their way.
b.  I will just have to do -everything- myself, and my fledgling business will take a decade to break even instead of 3-4 years.

I see the "net" result quite clearly as this government regulation will keep 2 inexperienced individuals from learning and developing sales skills.  They literally have no way to bridge the gap between a business liability and business profitability.   These kids need time to LEARN... but not at the expense of my business!

Quote from: Solar on July 30, 2016, 04:54:25 PM
Irrelevant, if it wasn't right wing, then it would be left wing, there is no such thing as neutral anymore.
Anecdotal at best. If your industry can afford an HR dept, then most likely you're not paying entry level min wage for long.
Pure bull shit! Unbridled capitalism as in free mkt principal grows the economy, in that it will always find middle ground in what is best for employee and employer, it is not an adversarial relationship as the way the left wants it, so they can control the masses.
No, you listen up! You either allow us to run business with as little govt interference, or kiss small business good bye.
I know, I remember when the leftists pushed another min wage on me back in the 80s, I was forced to lay two people off, one part time one full time so as to offset the increase.
Most small business struggle where payroll is concerned, which is why the future of franchise is looking to kiosks and no employees.
Yeah, your so called liberal caring is killing small business, and hurting people.
That man behind the curtain is Soros! Yes, the commie is the one feeding this min wage bull shit. So quit being so damned gullible!

Solar, man, you have to open up more...tell me what you REALLY think!   

You are not malleable.  I don't know if that is all that good net net.  But I remain seeking to learn and find out.


But I don't doubt your statements on your business experience as you said... but I also speak of my reality myself so maybe we are BOTH anecdotal.  I have used that argument as well. 

Soros is no worse than Koch. Be honest.... Citizens United must GO!  How can you support such a view that puts so much power in Corporations and TAKES it AWAY from people???  that befuddles me???

Do you really think I don't know your playbook as well OR BETTER than you know mine???  We have BOTH been around the block Solar and like it or not, we are intertwined as AMERICANS.  I know that freaks you out but it is true.

just telling me I am wrong all the time does not change OUR situation or the truth.  And it is OUR situation that we both live in today's America.  I think this is the BEST time ever in every way and better times are ahead.


you know, the two threads I was on were BOTH some of the highest viewed threads you had on this board in recent days. There does seem to be a curiosity, like liberals able to discuss topics have not been seen around these parts much.


I still enjoy learning from all of you, and I appreciate your patience with me.  Even if we will never change it is the exchange of ideas that I seek because we will all think of each other down the road when making future voting decisions.

Quote from: Steve,SPHR on July 30, 2016, 06:02:57 PM

Solar, man, you have to open up more...tell me what you REALLY think!   

You are not malleable.  I don't know if that is all that good net net.  But I remain seeking to learn and find out.


But I don't doubt your statements on your business experience as you said... but I also speak of my reality myself so maybe we are BOTH anecdotal.  I have used that argument as well. 

Soros is no worse than Koch. Be honest.... Citizens United must GO!  How can you support such a view that puts so much power in Corporations and TAKES it AWAY from people???  that befuddles me???

Do you really think I don't know your playbook as well OR BETTER than you know mine???  We have BOTH been around the block Solar and like it or not, we are intertwined as AMERICANS.  I know that freaks you out but it is true.

just telling me I am wrong all the time does not change OUR situation or the truth.  And it is OUR situation that we both live in today's America.  I think this is the BEST time ever in every way and better times are ahead.


you know, the two threads I was on were BOTH some of the highest viewed threads you had on this board in recent days. There does seem to be a curiosity, like liberals able to discuss topics have not been seen around these parts much.


I still enjoy learning from all of you, and I appreciate your patience with me.  Even if we will never change it is the exchange of ideas that I seek because we will all think of each other down the road when making future voting decisions.

What I see.  You enjoy pushing your BS.  IF you were as good as you think you are you would have your own site still going yet. 

But that's just my 2¢. 

Quote from: walkstall on July 30, 2016, 06:31:39 PM


What I see.  You enjoy pushing your BS.  IF you were as good as you think you are you would have your own site still going yet. 

But that's just my 2¢. 

walks I appreciate your opinion. 


to me debating and challenging culls poor ideas and promotes better ideas.


even if we don't agree with them at first.  anything less is...well...less.


your mileage may vary.

Quote from: Steve,SPHR on July 30, 2016, 06:02:57 PM

Solar, man, you have to open up more...tell me what you REALLY think!   

You are not malleable.  I don't know if that is all that good net net.  But I remain seeking to learn and find out.


But I don't doubt your statements on your business experience as you said... but I also speak of my reality myself so maybe we are BOTH anecdotal.  I have used that argument as well. 

My point was, I had a business that hired entry level kids, in many cases their first ever job, but min wage increases stifles that option and only allows me to keep the best employee and only hire experienced people, completely eliminating first time workers.
You see, most small business struggle making payroll, most owners work the business themselves to save money, they do it for the freedom of being their own boss, and believe me, they never higher HR people, they do the hiring themselves.
So mine is reality, yours is anecdotal because any business that requires a staff to hire people, can most definitely afford a min wage increase, because most likely, they already pay entry level positions above the min wage. Don't they....

QuoteSoros is no worse than Koch. Be honest.... Citizens United must GO!  How can you support such a view that puts so much power in Corporations and TAKES it AWAY from people???  that befuddles me???

WOW, are you serious? Soros is an admitted communist, one that manipulates markets, destroys small economies for personal gain, the man has no principles.
Koch brothers made their money the honest way.

QuoteDo you really think I don't know your playbook as well OR BETTER than you know mine???  We have BOTH been around the block Solar and like it or not, we are intertwined as AMERICANS.  I know that freaks you out but it is true.

just telling me I am wrong all the time does not change OUR situation or the truth.  And it is OUR situation that we both live in today's America.  I think this is the BEST time ever in every way and better times are ahead.

Difference being, I produce indisputable facts, yours on the other hand are mostly opinion based.

Quoteyou know, the two threads I was on were BOTH some of the highest viewed threads you had on this board in recent days. There does seem to be a curiosity, like liberals able to discuss topics have not been seen around these parts much.


I still enjoy learning from all of you, and I appreciate your patience with me.  Even if we will never change it is the exchange of ideas that I seek because we will all think of each other down the road when making future voting decisions.

Yet you remain close minded in the face of facts. Is this a lib trait?

Quote from: Steve,SPHR on July 30, 2016, 06:02:57 PM

Solar, man, you have to open up more...tell me what you REALLY think!   

You are not malleable.  I don't know if that is all that good net net.  But I remain seeking to learn and find out.


But I don't doubt your statements on your business experience as you said... but I also speak of my reality myself so maybe we are BOTH anecdotal.  I have used that argument as well. 

Soros is no worse than Koch. Be honest.... Citizens United must GO!  How can you support such a view that puts so much power in Corporations and TAKES it AWAY from people???  that befuddles me???

Do you really think I don't know your playbook as well OR BETTER than you know mine???  We have BOTH been around the block Solar and like it or not, we are intertwined as AMERICANS.  I know that freaks you out but it is true.

just telling me I am wrong all the time does not change OUR situation or the truth.  And it is OUR situation that we both live in today's America.  I think this is the BEST time ever in every way and better times are ahead.


you know, the two threads I was on were BOTH some of the highest viewed threads you had on this board in recent days. There does seem to be a curiosity, like liberals able to discuss topics have not been seen around these parts much.


I still enjoy learning from all of you, and I appreciate your patience with me.  Even if we will never change it is the exchange of ideas that I seek because we will all think of each other down the road when making future voting decisions.

Oh, and about those evil Koch's?

Charles G. Koch, the billionaire industrialist, suggested in an interview Sunday that he was open to supporting Hillary Clinton for president and said it was possible she would make a better president than her Republican rivals.

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/04/24/charles-koch-says-he-could-possibly-support-hillary-clinton/