Labor & Workforce Policy

Policies shaping employment, wages, and workers' rights.

The Minimum Wage Debate

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009. While standard models suggest high minimum wages can cause disemployment effects, recent empirical studies (e.g., Card and Krueger) show these effects are often minimal in monopsonistic labor markets, though they may bite harder in low-cost-of-living areas.

Universal Basic Income (UBI)

UBI proposes a direct, unconditional cash transfer. While it eliminates the welfare trap (high marginal tax rates as benefits phase out), the gross cost of a meaningful UBI requires massive restructuring of the tax code.