Economic Policy Institute
@epi.org
We're a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank using the tools of economics to defend & promote workers' interests in economic policy discussions.
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epi.org
Podcast: epi.org/podcast/
Newsletter: epi.org/signup/
Federal Policy Watch: epi.org/policywatch
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Economic Policy Institute
@epi.org
· Apr 28
The federal minimum wage is officially a poverty wage in 2025
In 2025, the federal minimum wage is officially a “poverty wage.” The annual earnings of a single adult working full-time, year-round at $7.25 an hour now fall below the poverty threshold of $15,650 (...
www.epi.org
In 2025, the federal minimum wage is officially a poverty wage ⚠️
In the US, no one can live with dignity on $7.25/hr.
But instead of raising the minimum wage, Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid & make it harder for workers to access basic needs programs like SNAP: www.epi.org/blog/the-fed...
In the US, no one can live with dignity on $7.25/hr.
But instead of raising the minimum wage, Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid & make it harder for workers to access basic needs programs like SNAP: www.epi.org/blog/the-fed...
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Manufacturing is effectively in a recession, losing jobs every month since April, for a total loss of 72,000 jobs.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Today's #JobsReport tells us the economy is decidedly weaker than a year ago:
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
January 9, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Manufacturing is effectively in a recession, losing jobs every month since April, for a total loss of 72,000 jobs.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Among women, the unemployment rise has been SHARPEST for Black women according to Dr. Valerie Wilson @epi.org. This is #TheDoubleTax.
January 9, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Among women, the unemployment rise has been SHARPEST for Black women according to Dr. Valerie Wilson @epi.org. This is #TheDoubleTax.
#JobsReport chart giving a lesson in what "decidedly weaker" looks like.
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
Today's #JobsReport tells us the economy is decidedly weaker than a year ago:
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
January 9, 2026 at 1:54 PM
#JobsReport chart giving a lesson in what "decidedly weaker" looks like.
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
The op-ed fantasizes that wages will simply rise with productivity, but in the real world, wages have trailed productivity growth.
Stronger labor market institutions
👉 like the minimum wage 👈
can help correct this.
Stronger labor market institutions
👉 like the minimum wage 👈
can help correct this.
The Productivity–Pay Gap
The huge gap between rising incomes at the top and stagnating pay for the rest of us shows that workers are no longer benefiting from their rising productivity. Before 1979, worker pay and productivit...
www.epi.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The op-ed fantasizes that wages will simply rise with productivity, but in the real world, wages have trailed productivity growth.
Stronger labor market institutions
👉 like the minimum wage 👈
can help correct this.
Stronger labor market institutions
👉 like the minimum wage 👈
can help correct this.
Concerns about minimum wage increases driving price increases are exaggerated: resulting price increase are very small, and way smaller than any wage increase because labor costs at low-wage establishments are just a fraction of total costs. irle.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
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January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Concerns about minimum wage increases driving price increases are exaggerated: resulting price increase are very small, and way smaller than any wage increase because labor costs at low-wage establishments are just a fraction of total costs. irle.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
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We understand that this WSJ op-ed doesn't want the NYC minimum wage to rise to $17 per hour next year BUT a single person in the New York metro area needs an even higher wage to make ends meet.
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January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
We understand that this WSJ op-ed doesn't want the NYC minimum wage to rise to $17 per hour next year BUT a single person in the New York metro area needs an even higher wage to make ends meet.
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The overwhelming conclusion of economic research is that minimum wages to date have successfully raised the pay of low-wage workers. 2/
Most minimum wage studies have found little or no job loss
There is always a great deal of political heat around minimum wage increases, largely driven by concerns about job losses. After a minimum wage increase, the story goes, many employers will not be abl...
www.epi.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The overwhelming conclusion of economic research is that minimum wages to date have successfully raised the pay of low-wage workers. 2/
Unsurprisingly, this WSJ op-ed gets things exactly backward.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Unsurprisingly, this WSJ op-ed gets things exactly backward.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
Trump Accounts distract from real solutions that lean on the functional power of wealth. They are NOT Baby Bonds, which are publicly funded and progressively seeded to narrow racial disparities in wealth.
Trump’s voluntary savings accounts will instead widen existing inequities.
Trump’s voluntary savings accounts will instead widen existing inequities.
January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Trump Accounts distract from real solutions that lean on the functional power of wealth. They are NOT Baby Bonds, which are publicly funded and progressively seeded to narrow racial disparities in wealth.
Trump’s voluntary savings accounts will instead widen existing inequities.
Trump’s voluntary savings accounts will instead widen existing inequities.
Due to structural racism, less than half of Black and Hispanic adults with enough savings to cover 3 months of expenses in case of an emergency.
A savings vehicle without continued government support will only deepen existing inequities for poor families. 5/
A savings vehicle without continued government support will only deepen existing inequities for poor families. 5/
January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Due to structural racism, less than half of Black and Hispanic adults with enough savings to cover 3 months of expenses in case of an emergency.
A savings vehicle without continued government support will only deepen existing inequities for poor families. 5/
A savings vehicle without continued government support will only deepen existing inequities for poor families. 5/
👉 Reducing child poverty will also require confronting the low-wage employment regime sustained by an inadequate wage floor.
About 67 million workers earn less than $25/hour, a threshold considerably lower than the hourly earnings of a typical worker had their pay kept pace with productivity.
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About 67 million workers earn less than $25/hour, a threshold considerably lower than the hourly earnings of a typical worker had their pay kept pace with productivity.
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January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
👉 Reducing child poverty will also require confronting the low-wage employment regime sustained by an inadequate wage floor.
About 67 million workers earn less than $25/hour, a threshold considerably lower than the hourly earnings of a typical worker had their pay kept pace with productivity.
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About 67 million workers earn less than $25/hour, a threshold considerably lower than the hourly earnings of a typical worker had their pay kept pace with productivity.
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Child poverty is a policy choice driven by a withering welfare state.
Child poverty is higher today than it was in 2019, and it is likely to worsen with major cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid the Trump-Vance administration signed into law last summer. 🤬
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Child poverty is higher today than it was in 2019, and it is likely to worsen with major cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid the Trump-Vance administration signed into law last summer. 🤬
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January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Child poverty is a policy choice driven by a withering welfare state.
Child poverty is higher today than it was in 2019, and it is likely to worsen with major cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid the Trump-Vance administration signed into law last summer. 🤬
3/
Child poverty is higher today than it was in 2019, and it is likely to worsen with major cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid the Trump-Vance administration signed into law last summer. 🤬
3/
Child poverty is a defining feature of the U.S. economy.
Since ’09, child poverty has declined by less than 4 percentage points, leaving the US with the second-highest child poverty rate in the rich world. Child poverty is especially harmful to children of color in the US. 😡
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Since ’09, child poverty has declined by less than 4 percentage points, leaving the US with the second-highest child poverty rate in the rich world. Child poverty is especially harmful to children of color in the US. 😡
2/
January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Child poverty is a defining feature of the U.S. economy.
Since ’09, child poverty has declined by less than 4 percentage points, leaving the US with the second-highest child poverty rate in the rich world. Child poverty is especially harmful to children of color in the US. 😡
2/
Since ’09, child poverty has declined by less than 4 percentage points, leaving the US with the second-highest child poverty rate in the rich world. Child poverty is especially harmful to children of color in the US. 😡
2/
Billionaires have pledged millions to the new Trump Accounts that fail to account for the scope of child poverty and inequity in the US.
This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
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This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
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Billionaire-funded Trump Accounts won’t end child poverty: But they will widen structural inequities in the U.S. economy
In recent months, uber-rich families and companies have pledged millions of dollars to support a new savings program for children, known as Trump Accounts. In early December, for example, Dell Founder...
www.epi.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Billionaires have pledged millions to the new Trump Accounts that fail to account for the scope of child poverty and inequity in the US.
This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
1/
This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
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Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
SNAP benefits help workers find and keep jobs: "None of us really show up into an economy on our own." Ismael Cid-Martinez @epi.org
A look at how Trump-era work requirements could impact people who receive public benefits
The Trump administration made work requirements for low-income people receiving government assistance a priority in 2025.
apnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:06 PM
SNAP benefits help workers find and keep jobs: "None of us really show up into an economy on our own." Ismael Cid-Martinez @epi.org
EPI's Margaret Poydock on the record about how low-wage workers are the most vulnerable to wage theft by employers.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
New York Attorney General Sues UPS, Alleges Rampant Wage Theft and Labor Law Violations - Community Sentinel
The lawsuit demands back pay for seasonal workers and changes to the company's payroll practices.
communitysentinel.media
January 6, 2026 at 7:23 PM
EPI's Margaret Poydock on the record about how low-wage workers are the most vulnerable to wage theft by employers.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
NEW ANALYSIS: Federal regulatory agencies charged with enforcing wage and workplace safety conditions are taking drastically fewer actions against companies, and proposed rule changes by the administration will give workers even fewer protections. 🧵
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
Worker Protections in Freefall: The Collapse of Federal Labor Enforcement under the Second Trump Administration - Good Jobs First
Worker Protections in Freefall: The Collapse of Federal Labor Enforcement under the Second Trump Administration - Good Jobs First
goodjobsfirst.org
December 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
NEW ANALYSIS: Federal regulatory agencies charged with enforcing wage and workplace safety conditions are taking drastically fewer actions against companies, and proposed rule changes by the administration will give workers even fewer protections. 🧵
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Let’s start the new year by getting the facts straight about our Social Security system.
January 5, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Let’s start the new year by getting the facts straight about our Social Security system.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Heidi Shierholz from @epi.org nails it: "Affordability depends on both prices AND wages."
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
January 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Heidi Shierholz from @epi.org nails it: "Affordability depends on both prices AND wages."
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
EPI's Nina Mast on CNBC discussing the harms of 'No Tax on Tips'. The policy solution for increasing take home pay for low wage and tipped workers? Pay them.
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
Why No Tax On Tips May Be Making America’s Tipping Problem Worse
YouTube video by CNBC
youtu.be
January 2, 2026 at 3:53 PM
EPI's Nina Mast on CNBC discussing the harms of 'No Tax on Tips'. The policy solution for increasing take home pay for low wage and tipped workers? Pay them.
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Leading @epi.org's top publications this year: "Tariffs-Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask.” Just as relevant now as when we published it at the beginning of the year. Still have tariff Q's? Leave them in the comments. www.epi.org/publication/...
December 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Leading @epi.org's top publications this year: "Tariffs-Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask.” Just as relevant now as when we published it at the beginning of the year. Still have tariff Q's? Leave them in the comments. www.epi.org/publication/...
And your most-read publication from EPI in 2025 makes sense because we all went from 0 to 60--then down to 15, and back up to 25, down to 2, up to 10, maybe full stop, but no, wait 50--because it's been a wild tariff ride this year.
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Tariffs—Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask
During his presidential campaign, President Trump pledged to impose universal tariffs of 10–60% on all U.S. imports—a whopping $4.2 trillion in goods and services purchased from abroad in 2024. This w...
www.epi.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
And your most-read publication from EPI in 2025 makes sense because we all went from 0 to 60--then down to 15, and back up to 25, down to 2, up to 10, maybe full stop, but no, wait 50--because it's been a wild tariff ride this year.
fin/
fin/
'No tax on tips' sounds great until you understand tipping's racist origins and we should just 👏 pay 👏 workers 👏.
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‘No tax on tips’ will harm more workers than it helps: Proposals in Congress and now 20 states could encourage harmful employer practices and lead to tip requests in virtually every consumer transacti...
When President Trump proposed exempting tipped income from taxation during his 2024 presidential campaign, many viewed it as a politically expedient gimmick to win support among tipped service workers...
www.epi.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
'No tax on tips' sounds great until you understand tipping's racist origins and we should just 👏 pay 👏 workers 👏.
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#3 is about a campaign promise that hurts more than it helps.
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No tax on overtime is another gimmick that would do more harm than good
With Congressional Republicans having passed a budget resolution, one of the tax provisions certain to be discussed in federal budget deliberations will be President Trump’s expressed priority to exem...
www.epi.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
#3 is about a campaign promise that hurts more than it helps.
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