The Center for American Progress has long worked to build the policy case for raising the minimum wage and eliminating the subminimum wage for people with disabilities and tipped workers. The following research and analyses demonstrate how people deserve to be paid fairly for their work and how a higher minimum wage would—rather than limit job growth—provide financial stability for families and boost overall economic growth.
Raising Wages and Narrowing Pay Gaps With Service Sector Prevailing Wage Laws
Prevailing wage laws for government service contracts can uplift wages and benefits; reduce racial pay gaps; and could have a range of positive effects on worker turnover, service quality, local budgets, and collective bargaining.
Working-Class Americans in All States Support Progressive Economic Policies
Across U.S. states and the District of Columbia, members of the working class support policies to raise wages, increase taxes on the wealthy, and boost spending on health care, education, and infrastructure.
Raising New York’s Fast-Food Wages Would Be Good for Workers, Taxpayers, and the Economy
Karla Walter, Associate Director of the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, testifies before the New York State Fast Food Wage Board.
