MSN News, July 6, 2026
... Groups like Business for a Fair Minimum Wage argue that higher wage floors reduce turnover, boost consumer spending, and level the playing field, citing examples from Oregon, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Alaska. ... Local business owners, such as in Juneau, Alaska, say fair pay helps retain staff and improve service quality.
"People who work for a living need to be able to make a living—not struggling to afford basic necessities. These state and local minimum wage increases will help workers keep up with inflation and bolster the consumer spending that businesses and the economy depend on. Fairer pay helps employers hire and retain workers, which is crucial for labor intensive industries like health care and hospitality." Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. ...