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THE IMPACTS OF A VOTER APPROVED MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE IN ARKANSAS
Mark Ray Reavis, David Ray Reavis

Last modified: 2019-12-19

Abstract


Much has been written concerning minimum wage, but the critical issues on this topic are far from resolved. Supporters argue for fair wages, living wages, and an increase in the United States federal minimum wage. Opponents argue that minimum wage laws lead to higher unemployment, higher inflation, and disincentivize workers from seeking skills that would lead to higher earnings in the workplace. This research focuses on state-level minimum wage law in Arkansas and the impact on prices and employment. A change in Arkansas’ minimum wage law in 2014 gradually increased minimum wages over a 3 year period. This research adds to the body of knowledge on the topic of minimum wage by providing evidence that relatively smaller increases in minimum wage may not have the negative impacts argued by opponents. Based on the primary data collected for this research, the increase in minimum wage in Arkansas did not result in an increase in the price of fast food compared to the US nationally and the change in price was not significantly greater than the overall inflation rate in the US nationally. In addition, no negative employment effects were observed.


Keywords


Arkansas; Minimum Wage; Unemployment; Teen Unemployment; Inflation