When it comes to raising the minimum wage, most of the action is in cities and states, not Congress
The $7.25 federal minimum wage is used in just 21 states, which collectively account for about 40% of all U.S. wage and salary workers.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The $7.25 federal minimum wage is used in just 21 states, which collectively account for about 40% of all U.S. wage and salary workers.
Although most Americans back a higher minimum wage, wide disparities in local living costs make finding an appropriate rate difficult.
Despite some ups and downs over the past several decades, today’s real average wage in the U.S. has about the same purchasing power it did 40 years ago. And most of what wage gains there have been have flowed to the highest-paid tier of workers.
While the idea of raising the minimum wage is broadly popular, efforts to do so at the national level have stalled. We gathered key facts looking at the issue.
The cost of living can vary widely not just from state to state but within individual states, which can make setting an appropriate minimum wage more difficult.
Just what is “economic inequality”? Depends on whom you ask.
Trends in public opinion are in line with Obama’s agenda: The priority given to deficit reduction has slipped somewhat, while public support for rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure has increased.
The current federal minimum wage falls below the poverty threshold for most households. A new CBO report says raising the minimum will increase income for millions of low-wage workers but cost thousands their jobs.
A New York Times chart illustrates disparities in income growth between the U.S. and other advanced economies.
Both Pope Francis and President Obama have highlighted the issue of income inequality. U.S. Catholics support government action on the issue, but not necessarily more than the general public.
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