It should be remembered that card made similar claims for California. In short, economic activity could have cancelled out the unemployment effects. The body blow, however, was delivered by Lowell Taylor of Carnegie-Mellon. After examining changes in employment in those counties and retail sectors most affected by the increased minimum, he found that they suffered the worst unemployment effects. Card s findings stood refuted.
Employers can deal with increases in the minimum in a number of ways.
If they may have sufficient advance notice of the increase they can make gradual adjustments in advance. Card paper ignored this possibility, retorting that quick-food outlets can sack at short notice. He does not seem to realise that employers do not hire in order to sack. A cost is involved. He also ignored changes in man-hours, fringe benefits, training time, etc.