Minimum Wage Wins in Four States
Four states voted to raise their minimum wages in Tuesday’s election, showing that while the nation disapproves of most of the Democrats’ progressive platform, voters are suckers for supposedly higher wages. Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota all voted to raise their minimum wage above the federal level, which is still preferable to the federal government imposing a blanket raise. However, voters not fully informed on the matter guided the vote. A Reason-Rupe Poll released in April shows that two-thirds of those polled favored a federal minimum wage hike to $10.10. But when asked if they supported a minimum wage raise if prices went up as a consequence (which they do), 51% said they still agreed. That number shrunk to 39% if raising the minimum wage cost jobs (which it does). Republicans have their work cut out for them: As Sen. Rand Paul said, the GOP has a perception problem among low-wage earners. Republicans must communicate that Liberty and limited government lifts all boats. More…