ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE FLORIDA MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL Dr. Robert Pollin Dr. Mark Brenner Ms. Jeannette Wicks-Lim Political Economy Research Institute University of Massachusetts, Amherst Economic Analysis of the Florida Minimum Wage Proposal 3 Economic Analysis of the Florida Minimum Wage Proposal 3 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE FLORIDA MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL September 2004 Dr. Robert Pollin Professor of Economics and Co-Director Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) University of Massachusetts, Amherst Gordon Hall, 418 N. Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 577-0126;
[email protected] Dr. Mark Brenner Assistant Research Professor Political Economy Research Institute University of Massachusetts, Amherst Ms. Jeannette Wicks-Lim Graduate Research Fellow Political Economy Research Institute University of Massachusetts, Amherst We are grateful for the research support from Liana Fox, James Heintz, Nuria Malet, and Ozgur Organhazi. We also benefited from comments on a previous draft by staff members of the Center for American Progress, especially Christian Weller. Robert Pollin is also grateful for comments on a preliminary oral presentation of parts of this analysis by members of the State’s Fiscal Impact Estimating Conference, at their June 3, 2004, public hearing. 4 Economic Analysis of the Florida Minimum Wage Proposal 5 4 Economic Analysis of the Florida Minimum Wage Proposal 5 Economic Analysis of Florida Minimum Wage Proposal Table of Contents Highlights of Basic Findings . 6 Summary. 10 Full Analysis of Florida Minimum Wage Proposal . 17 I. Introduction. 17 II. Background on Minimum Wages and Living Wages in the United States . 18 III. Statistical Methods and Sources . 19 IV. Estimated Costs of Minimum Wage Measure for Florida Businesses .