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The Presidential Candidates & Minimum Wage


Minimum wage has become a hot button issue on the campaign trail this year, particularly on the Democratic side.  Given the increased importance this topic has gotten, and the fact that is primary day in several states today, I think it is helpful to see where all the candidates still running for President stand on the the issue of minimum wage (both on the federal side and at the state level).

Since Democrats have been the vocal leaders on the issue, it makes sense to start there.

Hillary Clinton - Secretary Clinton recently clarified her position on the minimum wage issue and said she would support a $15/hour federal minimum wage put forth by Democrats if it included stipulations such as a gradual phase in and if it would include lower wages in areas with low costs of living.  Secretary Clinton has also recently supported state wide efforts to raise the minimum wage in states such as New York.  She has suggested that the minimum wage hike in New York (which will gradually see $15/hour around New York City and $12.50/hour in upstate areas) should be used as a model for other states.  (http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/04/hillary_clinton_dismisses_dona.html).  Readers might remember that Oregon adopted a similar minimum wage rate recently, with higher minimum wage rates being phased in for workers in the Portland area and lower rates being phased in for workers in other parts of the state (with lower costs of living).

Bernie Sanders - Senator Sanders has long been a vocal proponent of minimum wage increases around the country.  In fact, at the most recent Democratic debate, he took Secretary Clinton to task for allegedly not doing enough to support $15/hour.  Unsurprisingly, Senator Sanders is in favor of raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour and has vowed to sign a bill into law that would do so if elected President.  I do not think it would be a shock to anyone that Senator Sanders supports state wide efforts to raise minimum wages rates around the country as well.  (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-minimum-wage_us_5714fc02e4b0060ccda3b8df). 



Not to be outdone, the remaining Republican candidates have addressed the minimum wage issue in some form or fashion.  However, if you have watched the prior debates or seen some of their stump speeches on the campaign trail, it is evident that this is not an issue of the forefront of their campaigns.

Donald Trump - When New York announced its minimum wage increase recently, Trump came out in opposition saying it would hurt New York's ability to compete.  (http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/politics-on-the-hudson/2016/04/15/interview-trump-says-wage-hike-makes-ny-uncompetitive/83092046/).  With his comments on the federal minimum wage being relatively scarce, I think it is safe to say he would oppose a raise on all fronts when it comes to minimum wage.

Ted Cruz - Senator Cruz has stated that the concept of minimum wage is "bad policy" and argued that states should be free to set their own minimum wages.  (Note, it appears he is not in favor a federal minimum wage at this time.).  By raising the minimum wage, he has suggested that the most vulnerable workers in the country, such as young, less educated, low income, minorities, lose their jobs.  Senator Cruz has also stated that a continued increase in the minimum wage will ultimately result in companies replacing workers with machines.  (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/15/ted-cruz-minimum-wage-systematically-hurts-most-vu/).  Granted, he might not be wrong on the idea that at some point, employers would look to phase out employees if the cost of machines/computers became a cheaper option.  I do not think that idea is too far fetched...

John Kasich - Like Trump, Governor Kasich has limited his comments on minimum wage.  However, he did recently comment that the minimum wage should be increased based upon "what can be handled by the economy."  (Perhaps he would subscribe to Secretary Clinton's proposal for a scaled minimum wage, depending in part upon the cost of living in a particular area?).  As with Senator Cruz, Governor Kasich also expressed concern for raising the minimum wage to such a high level that it would result in businesses having to let employees go in order to be able to afford to pay higher wages.  (http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2016/04/11/kasich-minimum-wage-increases-shouldnt-be.html). 


As with any politician, any of these five could change their positions over the coming weeks/months on the issue of minimum wage.  Depending upon who gets the Democratic and Republican nominations for President, those particular candidates might move more towards the middle of the aisle and adopt a more centrist approach to appeal to the general electorate ahead of the November elections.  Perhaps Kasich's proposal of "what can be handled by the economy" along with Clinton's embrace of a more scaled wage rate depending upon the cost of living in certain areas are a step in that direction?

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