Bernie Sanders Introduces a Bill To Raise Minimum Wage to $17 by 2028
The proposal would raise the federal minimum wage by 134 percent.
Jobs
The Democratic Governor Who Wants Drug Legalization and Free Markets
"Government in general does a lot of things that aren't necessary," says Jared Polis.
Industrial Policy Isn't About Creating Jobs
It's a short-sighted approach that distracts us from the more important question.
'Bidenomics' Is Nothing New
It's a familiar program. And it will result in higher prices, slower growth, and fewer jobs.
Supreme Court Clarifies 'Undue Hardship' Standard for Religious Accommodations in the Workplace
Plus: Perspectives on the affirmative action ruling, how U.S. policy is thwarting Cuban capitalists, and more...
How Other Countries Benefit From America's Dysfunctional Immigration System
The U.S. is keeping talented foreigners away—and failing to retain them.
Polls Reveal Americans' Fears About A.I.
Americans are more afraid than excited about A.I. But these technologies offer far more to cheer than to fear.
Taxing the Rich Will Have No Meaningful Effect on Our Sky-High National Debt
The U.S. tax system is extremely progressive, even compared to European countries—whose governments rely on taxing the middle class.
The Two Faces of Ron DeSantis
Sometimes he calls for freedom, and sometimes he preaches something darker.
Josh Hawley Wants the Debt Ceiling Deal To Include a Massive Tax Hike on Americans
Hawley might call them "tariffs on China," but that's obvious nonsense: Tariffs are paid by Americans.
Fewer People Are Going to College. Here's Why That's a Good Thing.
The time and money spent on college can often be used more productively.
The Push To Eliminate Fossil Fuels Is Hurting Poor People
"When we look at solar and wind around the world, it always correlates to rising prices and declining reliability."
Don't Freak Out Over Teens Having Fast Food Jobs
"I think it's really good for a lot of young people, no matter if they need a job or not, to work," says one college student who got her first job at 16.
Poll: Most Americans Don't Think a College Degree Is Worth the Cost
56 percent agreed that "people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off."
How Bad Are Your State's Occupational Licensing Requirements?
You shouldn't need permission to make a living.
Biden's 'Economic Plan' Is Industrial Policy That Will Be Terrible for Workers and Consumers
The Democratic president is supercharging former president Trump's failed approach to domestic manufacturing.
Ride-Share and Delivery Drivers Are Independent Contractors, Says Court
Plus: College says abortion art runs afoul of state law, the politics of Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, and more...
Wages Are Rising for Low-Skill Workers, Driving Down Poverty and Inequality
Plus: "Flipping the proverbial bird is a God-given" right, administrative state abuses, and more...
Virginia Next for Occupational Licensing Reform
The state will fast-track applicants who have out-of-state credentials or experience.
More Immigration Leads to Better Nursing Home Care, Says New Paper
Immigrants have a proven ability to address a mounting need for the aging American population. Politicians crafting immigration policy ignore this at their own peril.
New York Floats a Crackdown on Independent Workers
Like California’s ruinous A.B. 5, the proposal would greatly harm freelance employment.
DeSantis Revokes Licenses From Businesses That Fail To Use Flawed E-Verify System
Floridians will bear the cost of DeSantis currying favor with immigration restrictionists.
ChatGPT Isn't Coming for Your Job (Yet)
Content-generating A.I. will probably enhance human labor rather than make it obsolete.
Pennsylvania's New Governor Dumps Excessive College Diploma Demands for State Jobs
More leaders should follow in the footsteps of Govs. Josh Shapiro, Larry Hogan, and Spencer Cox.
Survey: Americans Want K-12 Schools To Prioritize Practical Skills, Not College Prep
New survey results show that "Americans believe the K-12 education system should redirect its focus on what it means to successfully prepare American students—equipping them with practical skills that prepare them for life."
Ohio To Honor Occupational Licenses from Other States
While not a cure-all, universal recognition reduces the costs and time commitments of mandated training.
The FTC Wants To Outlaw Noncompete Clauses, but Does It Have the Authority?
The Commission's lone dissenter says Congress has not charged it with regulating noncompete clauses.
Lockdowns Had Little Impact on COVID-19
Data show Florida and New York had similar death numbers despite vastly different approaches.
Help the Working Class by Deregulating Housing Construction
Economist Bryan Caplan explains how cutting back on zoning and other restrictions could create millions of new jobs for workers - on top of other beneficial effects.
Charity and Capitalism Are Better Than Government
When I was young, I assumed government would lift people out of poverty. But those policies often do more harm than good.
How To Empower Millions of Independent Workers
Deregulation can help the millions of people who prefer flexible, independent jobs.
Subsidies To Help Workers Would Hurt Poor People
Some people would benefit. Others would lose money or be rendered unemployable.
'Secure Jobs Act' Would Cost New Yorkers Secure Jobs
Plus: Destigmatizing sex work, free markets and grocery store mergers, and more...
America Needs 'Low-Skilled' Workers
Yes, America benefits from immigrants who can write code. But we also need ones who can swing hammers.
Germany Is Planning To Reform Its Immigration Policies. The U.S. Should, Too.
With high job vacancies and a low birth rate, Germany is turning to the world to fill the holes in its economy.
Are Men Done? They Are Failing at School, Work, and Life.
Richard V. Reeves documents terrible trends and suggests solutions that don't come at the expense of women.
Divided Government Is Good. In 2023, Bipartisanship Would Be Better.
From immigration to drug reform, there is plenty of potential for productive compromise.
Drugs, Debt, and Masculinity
Plus: The editors wade into the conversation surrounding the modern dilemmas men face.
Americans Are Losing Their Work Ethic
Even reduced immigration and job openings for miles aren't luring America's ever-growing workforce dropouts back in.
Occupational Licensing Doesn't Mean Higher Quality Services
Plus: FIRE teams up with Ice-T, self-preferencing shouldn't be an antitrust offense, and more...
Most Americans Say Immigrants Make the U.S. Better. So Why Don't Politicians Do Anything About It?
Democrats pander to immigrants but do little to liberalize the system. Meanwhile, Republicans' hostility to immigrants has increased.
Hiring Formerly Incarcerated People Is Good, Actually
Some conservative media outlets and politicians lambast the practice. But if you care about public safety, that opposition doesn't make sense.
California Bureaucrats Want to Take Over Your Local Fast Food Joint
Where have we heard before about government councils dictating terms to nominally private enterprise?
COVID-19 Gutted College Attendance. Now, a Solid Labor Market Is Convincing More High School Grads To Skip It.
The number of high school seniors going on to attend college has plummeted in the past two years, deepening the already steady decline.
Mandatory National Service Is a Morally Bankrupt Idea
Frederick Douglass compared compelled labor to slavery. That objection still stands.
The Disappearing Differences Between Republicans and Democrats on Federal Family Spending
Many conservatives no longer appear to care much for fiscal conservatism.