U.C. Berkeley Labor Center Head On “All Things Considered”

Millions of Americans are closely watching whether the Senate will greenlight an extra $1,400 COVID-19 stimulus check. But there’s another economy-stimulating bill hung up in the U.S. Senate that’s not getting nearly the same attention.

Already approved in the U.S. House, the 2019 Raise the Wage Act would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025.

This month, the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center published a study predicting what might happen to Georgia’s economy if the act becomes law.

Among families of #Georgia workers who would get a direct pay increase from the Raise the Wage Act ($15 min wage), just over half (51%) are enrolled in at least one safety net program, at an annual cost of $4.7 billion @kjacobs9 @ianeveperry @JMacGillvary https://t.co/aaC1QRRvFm

— Berkeley Labor Center (@UCBLaborCenter) December 18, 2020

Ken Jacobs, who heads the Labor Center, spoke with WABE’s “All Things Considered” host Jim Burress about how the wage increase could free up billions of dollars a year that Georgia now spends on social safety net and welfare programs.

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.