No, California's $20 Minimum Wage for Fast-Food Workers Did Not Create Jobs
A University of California, Berkeley, study trumpeted in the media doesn't say what the press release claims.
Labor Market
Is Being a Mom Bad for Your Career?
A recent study showed women experience a short-term "motherhood penalty" but their earnings rebound within a decade.
J.D. Vance Says 7 Million Able-Bodied Men Have Dropped Out of the Labor Force. Where Are They?
There are many explanations for the slow, long-term decline in work force participation among American men. Undocumented immigration doesn't seem to be a major factor.
Help Workers By Breaking Down Barriers to Labor Mobility
Labor Day is the right time to remember that we can make workers vastly better off by empowering more of them to vote with their feet, both within countries and through international migration.
California's Unions Lost Their Long Battle Against Uber and Lyft
The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled that ridesharing drivers can be exempted from California's crackdown on independent contracting.
Markets in Panic
Plus: Emhoff scandal, Iran and Hezbollah possibly striking Israel, Nirvana facts, and more...
The 2024 GOP Platform Promises To 'Make America Affordable Again.' So Why Are They Embracing Fiscal Insanity?
Although former President Donald Trump's deregulatory agenda would make some positive changes, it's simply not enough.
Biden and Trump Are Both Disastrously Wrong About Tariffs
Yes, cheap imports hurt some American companies. But protectionist trade policy harms many more Americans than it helps.
Don't Freak Out Over Florida Teen Labor Laws
Laws letting teens work longer hours won't have the disastrous effects critics claim they will.
J.D. Vance's Incoherent Argument for Higher Minimum Wages
Vance thinks that jobs lost because of incompetent central planning don't matter—but that jobs lost to immigrants do.
The Best of Reason: American Small Businesses Are Desperate for Foreign Workers
The number of job openings far exceeds the number of unemployed Americans. Seasonal businesses can't get the foreign labor they need.
The Economy Biden Wants
Plus: Trump wants to cut federal spending, Mike Solana wants to save San Francisco, Canada wants to throw thought criminals in jail, and more...
American Small Businesses Are Desperate for Foreign Workers
The number of job openings far exceeds the number of unemployed Americans. Seasonal businesses can't get the foreign labor they need.
California's $20 Fast Food Minimum Wage Law Is Already Having Disastrous Unintended Consequences
Many have seen their hours reduced—or have lost their jobs entirely.
The Best of Reason: In the AI Economy, There Will Be Zero Percent Unemployment
AI developer Andrew Mayne explains why technology could create more jobs and lead to unprecedented economic growth.
In the AI Economy, There Will Be Zero Percent Unemployment
AI developer Andrew Mayne explains why technology could create more jobs and lead to unprecedented economic growth.
Another Illegal Power Grab From the FTC
Banning noncompete agreements goes well beyond the FTC's legal authority.
Inflation Is So Back
Consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in March and the annual inflation rate ticked up to 3.5 percent, the highest rate seen since September.
What the Biden Administration Could Learn From California's Attempt To Ban Independent Contracting
Instead, the White House is pushing for similar job-killing regulations on the national level.
Mass Deportations of Immigrants Destroy More Native-Born American Jobs than they Create
Leading immigration economist Michael Clemens explains why.
Why Is Panera Exempted From California's New Minimum Wage Law?
Probably because Greg Flynn, who operates 24 of the bakery cafes in California, is a longtime friend of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The "Migrant Crisis" is Caused by Flawed Work and Housing Policies, not Migrants
The difficulties some cities are experiencing arise because many migrants aren't allowed to work, and because of restrictions on construction of new housing.
California's Attack on Gig Work Predictably Drove Workers Out of Jobs
Self-employment in California fell by 10.5 percent and overall employment tumbled by 4.4 percent after A.B. 5's implementation.
Labor Department's New Regs Aim To Rescue Gig Workers From Their Own Preferences
Biden undid Trump-era rules for independent contractors, but the new rule will likely last only until another Republican is elected president. This is no way to regulate an economy.
Yes, Heavy Regulation Hurts the Economy. Just Look at France.
We're often told European countries are better off thanks to big-government policies. So why is the U.S. beating France in many important ways?
New Labor Rules Will Screw Over Your Local McDonalds
A new joint employer rule from the NLRB threatens to fundamentally change the business relationship between a franchise and its parent company.
Are Government Shutdowns Good for Limited Government?
Plus: A listener asks whether younger generations are capable of passing reforms to entitlement spending.
Volokh Conspiracy Gets Results on Immigration and Zoning Policy
Federal and New York City officials recently adopted policy changes on migrant work permits and zoning reform similar to those advocated here (though probably not because I advocated them!)..
Biden Expands Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans in the United States
This measure will enable some 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived between 2021 and July 2023 to legally live and work in the US for up to 18 months.
Biden, the 'Most Pro-Union President,' Reaps What He Sows
Labor actions largely respond to policies that cause widespread pain.
What's the Libertarian Answer to New York's Migrant Crisis?
Plus: A listener asks the editors to name America's unsung or undersung heroes.
Help Workers by Breaking Down Barriers to Labor Mobility - Both Domestic and International
Labor Day is the right time to remember that we can make workers vastly better off by empowering more of them to vote with their feet, both within countries and through international migration.
Barbie Girls Now Live in a Much Wealthier Barbie World
The average working woman in 2023 earns enough money to buy a Barbie doll every 33 minutes. In 1959, it took nearly two hours.
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.
Let Asylum-Seeking Migrants Work
Taking this step would benefit both the migrants themselves and the American economy. It would also eliminate burdens on local governments.
'Bidenomics' Is Nothing New
It's a familiar program. And it will result in higher prices, slower growth, and fewer jobs.
In Virginia, No Degree Is No Problem
The state is the latest of several in recent months that have moved to eliminate college degree requirements for the vast majority of state government jobs.
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.
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.
No Degree? That's No Problem for These Government Jobs
A bipartisan solution to degree inflation
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.
How Bad Are Your State's Occupational Licensing Requirements?
You shouldn't need permission to make a living.
Vague Visa Rules Leave Laid-Off Twitter Worker Unable To Return to U.S.
Foreign-born tech workers in the U.S. have been especially vulnerable as tech giants lay off large shares of their work forces.
Critics Lose Their Mind as Arkansas Makes It a Bit Easier for Teens To Work
Youth employment is a recognized path to greater prosperity.
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.
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.
