Fox Misleads New Jersey Voters On Minimum Wage Increase

When low-wage workers get a raise, they generally have to spend all or almost all of it, benefitting the economy.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/11/05/fox-misleads-new-jersey-voters-on-minimum-wage/196746

Fox News pushed myths about the economic impact of raising the minimum wage as New Jersey voters decide whether to increase it.

A ballot measure in the November 5 election would, if it passes, increase New Jersey's minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.25 and change the state constitution to tie future increases to inflation. According to The Washington Post, public opinion polls show an overwhelming majority of voters support the measure.

But the morning of the election, Fox & Friends misled New Jersey residents about the increase in wages. Fox News legal analyst Andrew Napolitano falsely claimed the measure would reduce employment in the state and increase poverty:

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Numerous studies have shown that minimum wage increases have little to no effect on jobs, and may even increase hiring. In fact, after New Jersey enacted a minimum wage increase in 1990, economists David Carr and Alan Kreuger surveyed restaurants in south Jersey and Pennsylvania and found the number of jobs grew. Research also shows minimum wage increases improve the economic performance of small businesses, and the Economic Policy Institute predicts that nationwide minimum wage increases could grow the economy.

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