Wisconsin-Report

68
AFP Deputy Policy Director Akash Chougle Wrote That, “Thankfully,” The “Disastrous Idea” Of Raising The
Federal Minimum Wage To $10.10 “Failed To Advance.” According to Americans for Prosperity Deputy Director of
Policy Akash Chougule, “On the same day this disappointing GDP statistic was revealed, the US Senate was considering
legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10. That disastrous idea would result in the loss of 500,000 jobs. It also
comes shortly after campaign strategists warned Democrats to avoid talking about ‘economic recovery,’ because it is a political
loser for the left – because the nation is quickly realizing how liberal policies continue to fail the economy and struggling
families. (Thankfully, the minimum wage increase proposal failed to advance.)” [Akash Chougule - Americans for Prosperity,
4/30/14]
The Mercatus Center Claimed That Avoidance Of A Minimum Wage Hike Improved Wisconsin’s Labor
Market
The Mercatus Center Argued That Wisconsin’s Labor Market Freedom Was Improved By Avoiding A “Minimum
Wage Above The Federal Average.” According to the Mercatus Center’s FreedomInThe50States.org, “Wisconsin’s labor
market freedom, occupational freedom, health insurance freedom, and liability system are mediocre. It is not (yet) a right-towork
state, but has avoided mandating a minimum wage above the federal average or requiring employers to buy short-term
disability insurance.” [FreedomInThe50States.org, accessed 2/2/16]
NFIB Described Minimum Wage Hikes As “Short Sighted, Simplistic, And Misguided”
National Federation Of Independent Business Wisconsin State Director Bill Smith: The Proposal To Raise The
Minimum Wage To $15 Gradually Over Four Years Was “Short Sighted, Simplistic, And Misguided.” According to
the Badger Herald, “If the bill were to pass, the minimum wage would increase to $8.50 per hour on the effective date, and
five years after the effective date, the minimum wage would increase to $15 per hour. Future increases would be tied to the
consumer price index of past years. […] Bill Smith, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said in
a statement that raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour will place a financial burden on smaller businesses, which are still
recovering from the Great Recession. ‘Any increase in Wisconsin’s minimum wage will not only add more stress on small
businesses but will be passed on to hard-working consumers that are still attempting to economically recover from a very
difficult time,’ Smith said. ‘Today’s proposal is short sighted, simplistic and misguided.’” [Badger Herald, 4/29/15]
NFIB Wisconsin State Director Bill G. Smith Said That The Proposal” To Increase The Minimum Wage Was
“Arbitrary” And Drove Up Business Costs. According to Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, “Bill G. Smith, state
director for NFIB, said the proposal is arbitrary and drives up business costs, which results in job loss. ‘An arbitrary,
mandatory increase in labor costs without a corresponding increase in sales will force small businesses to make adjustments
elsewhere,’ Smith said. ‘Real businesses with real dollars and real jobs need to react each time the minimum wage is increased.
No region of our state can fully escape the impact, and for most of those affected, the impact is negative. For those who are
the victims of fewer hours or lost job opportunities, earned income will likely be lost. Ultimately, someone must pay for the
high labor costs of higher wages.’” [Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, 3/5/14]
Smith Said That Minimum Wage Increase Proposals Were “Harmful To The Very People They Are Trying To
Help.” According to TwinCities.com, “Leaders from the groups said proposals by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary
Burke and Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 aren’t popular with voters when they hear about
the potential job loss. Bill Smith, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says minimum wage
increase proposals are ‘harmful to the very people they are trying to help.’” [TwinCities.com, 3/5/14]
The MacIver Institute Tried To Argue That Increasing The Minimum Wage Would Harm Wisconsin
Workers
MacIver Institute Director Of Communications Nick Novak Opinion Title: “A Higher Minimum Wage Would
Eliminate Opportunity For Success.” [Nick Novak – Daily Signal, 9/9/15]
MacIver Institute Headline: “Increase In Minimum Wage Will Hurt Workers, Lead To Job Losses.” [MacIver
Institute, 1/10/14]