There is a movement to increase the federal minimum wage to $15.00 an hour that is gaining popularity.  Minimum wage hikes may sound good on their face, but in reality a minimum wage hike of this magnitude would result in higher prices for everyone, largely negating any benefits, especially for those who already make above the proposed new minimum wage (whose buying power would actually decrease as a result).

It would also result in fewer low-skill jobs, as employers would not be able to afford to hire as many entry level and low skill workers, disproportionately hurting the very groups supporters of a higher minimum wage say they are trying to help.  And workers with higher skill or productivity levels will have a harder time getting raises they have earned if all wages are raised by such a large margin.

Furthermore, the median hourly wage in the US is only $16.71.  Even if a $15 minimum wage made sense in some places, the cost of living varies widely across the country.  Places like New York or San Francisco, where the cost of living is high, may be able to absorb such an increase (although looking at what has happened in Seattle since they raised theirs says otherwise).  For places where the cost of living is lower, such as poorer states like Mississippi, West Virginia, or Arkansas, a $15 minimum wage would be a disaster.

 A $15.00 an hour minimum wage is bad for business, bad for low income workers (who it is supposed to help), and bad for higher skilled, higher income workers and families.  It is bad for America.  Tell Congress not to consider such an increase, and tell the President to veto it if it lands on his desk.