Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Executive, vetoed legislation late last month that would have made it the first county in Maryland to require a $15 minimum wage. Leggett argues that because Montgomery is not a “destination city,” like Seattle or New York, their “residents will essentially shoulder the bulk of the cost” should a $15 minimum wage be implemented. A recent report by James Sherk, a former research fellow in labor economics at The Heritage Foundation, provides evidence that supports Leggett’s reasoning. According to the report, “fast food prices would rise by 38 percent under a $15-an-hour minimum wage and cause a 36 percent drop in employment.” Click here to see a detailed chart of how consumer prices at some of the most popular fast-food restaurants would be affected.
