The minimum wage: Job killer?

With many states facing record numbers of unemployed teens, economists debate whether to blame the downturn or minimum-wage hikes

It's even tough for teenagers to get jobs these days, and some say the recent hike of the minimum wage is to blame.
(Image credit: Ariel Skelley/CORBIS)

As the economic recovery stalls, teen unemployment is hitting record levels in many states. Nationally, the unemployment rate for Americans ages 16 to 19 is more than 24 percent — and more than 40 percent for African Americans. There are many causes for the dire statistics, but conservatives say one is the hike in the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour in 2007 to $7.25 by 2009. Is that really why so many teenagers can't find work?

Of course the minimum wage is hurting teens: Driving the minimum wage ever higher "doesn't end up delivering prosperity," says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. "It drives up business costs," which inevitably forces some employers to cut some jobs. And when they have to pay people $2 more an hour, they're going to give what work they do have to more experienced applicants rather than to inexperienced teenagers.

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