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Explaining the Passage of Living Wage Legislation in the U.S

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  • Suzanne Clain

Abstract

Using data from various sources to describe 1,077 U.S. cities, I examine the adoption of living wage legislation between 1995 and 2006. I analyze both the decisions to adopt such legislation and the timing of such decisions. My principal finding is that, while the size and political identity of the community play a significant role, the adoption of living wage legislation is also significantly influenced by local economic circumstances. An important implication is that researchers who seek to measure the economic impacts of the legislation must allow for its endogeneity, in order to separate its economic effect(s) from its economic cause(s). Copyright International Atlantic Economic Society 2012

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  • Suzanne Clain, 2012. "Explaining the Passage of Living Wage Legislation in the U.S," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 40(3), pages 315-327, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:atlecj:v:40:y:2012:i:3:p:315-327
    DOI: 10.1007/s11293-012-9328-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adams, Scott & Neumark, David, 2005. "The effects of living wage laws: Evidence from failed and derailed living wage campaigns," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(2), pages 177-202, September.
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    3. Levin-Waldman, Oren M., 2008. "Characteristics of cities that pass living wage ordinances: Are certain conditions more conducive than others?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 2201-2213, December.
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    JEL classification:

    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis
    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations

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