US Prison Statistics for 2011. 1% decrease.

The US Department of Justice released it's annual survey of the prison population. The number of prisoners at the federal and state level decreased from 1,613,803 to 1,598,780 a difference of about 15,000 or a less than 1% decrease. Prisoners in 2011

NELP: Mid-wage jobs have yet to recover

The National Employment Law Project confirms so sad news we have all suspected. Most of the jobs created since the recession have been low-wage jobs. About 60% of the jobs eliminated were mid-wage jobs yet only 22% of the new jobs were mid-wage. NELP report is here.

Ten States Increased their Minimum Wage on January 1st, 2013

The following states increased the minimum wage above the federal minimum wage (FMW = $7.25) on January 1st, 2013.  Only Vermont, Oregon, and Washington State offer minimum wages that are significantly  (20% or above) above the federal minimum wage.  The rest are withing 8% or less of the FMW.

You can only hope states are setting the stage for future increases. It is good to see some traditionally conservative states like Arizona, Florida and Montana raising the wage.


Vermont          $8.46 to $8.60
Rhode Island   $7.40 to $7.75
Arizona           $7.65 to $7.80
Colorado         $7.64 to $7.78
Ohio                $7.60 to $7.85
Oregon            $8.80 to $8.95
Washington      $9.04 to $9.19
Montana          $7.65 to $7.80
Florida             $7.67 to $7.79
Missouri           $7.25 to $7.35

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Vermont's minimum wage is indexed to inflation and the cost of living.

Washington State has the highest minimum wage at $9.19 per hour. It is indexed to inflation.  It was created by a voter initiative 688 approved in 1988. 

Anti-Lobbying Site: American Anti-Corruption Act

Here is a site that wants to severely restrict lobbyist influence on politicians. It bill they propose would limit donations, expand the definition of a lobbyist, and impose more stringent rules on lobbying.

The American Anti-Corruption Act.

Everett and Jones Barbecue Restaurant in Oakland, CA

I saw Everett and Jones Barbecue on Nightly Business Report which had a nice puff piece.  I read some of the review on the internet and one dogged the place out.

Everett and Jones Barbecue

Cleveland Fed: College pays only a little more than high school in some fields.

There has been a recent slow down in wages for college graduates.  Many graduates are finding it hard to start their careers in their chosen fields.   Jonathan James studies the difference in wages based on college major.  Engineering comes out best.

The college wage premium by Jonathan James

Cleveland Fed: Labor's Declining Share of National Income

The Cleveland Fed has a piece on labor (vs. capital) receiving a declining share of national income.

Labor's Declining Share of Income and Rising Inequality by Jacobson and Occhino.

Traditionally labor income ad benefits have received about 2/3 of all national income and capital has received 1/3 of national income.  The article supports the idea that for the pass 30 years the returns to labor have been dropping. The result is flattening wages and increasing income inequality.