Raising the US Minimum Wage

By Center for American Progress

Franklin Roosevelt stated that, "No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to exist in this country."

Nothing more eloquently captures progressives' value of rewarding hard work with a living wage. It has been nine years since the conservative-led Congress last raised the federal minimum wage (currently set at $5.15 per hour). During the same period, Congress has given itself eight cost of living pay increases and CEOs are receiving record pay. In fact, if the minimum wage were raised at the same rate as CEO salary increases, the minimum wage today would be $23.03/hour.

With conservatives obstructing a raise at the federal level, progressives are turning to the states to fight for fair wages. Since 1997, progressives have successfully fought for increases in the minimum wage in eighteen states and the District of Columbia. In 2006, progressives are looking to extend this success to at least a dozen more states.

This issue brief provides an overview of states that have increased the minimum wage and those looking to do so in 2006. In addition, it debunks conservative rhetoric about the issue and outlines why raising the minimum wage benefits all Americans.

Center for American Progress Minimum Wage Issues Brief March 2006