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September 1, 2005: The Incredible Shrinking Minimum Wage

It has now been eight years since the last federal minimum wage increase. Over that time, its purchasing power has fallen 17 percent and, compared to private sector wages, it has sunk to its lowest point since 1949.  Unhappy Anniversary examines the shrinking wage.  This issue brief was prepared by Jared Bernstein, director of the EPI Living Standards program, and by Isaac Shapiro, an associate director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

To view the report, click here.