Washington, D.C. — The Center for American Progress will host a virtual event examining how communities across the country are raising wages in the face of a prolonged cost-of-living crisis. As the federal minimum wage remains stuck at $7.25 per hour, communities are advancing a range of strategies, from ballot initiatives to sector-specific policies, to boost pay and improve economic security.
While much of the national conversation has focused on lowering costs, this discussion will highlight the other side of the affordability equation: increasing earnings. The event will feature a keynote address from leading economist Arin Dube, followed by a panel of experts sharing real-world approaches to raising wages across states and industries.
WHO:
Introductory Remarks:
Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress
Keynote Speaker:
Arin Dube, Provost Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Author, The Wage Standard: What’s Wrong in the Labor Market and How to Fix It
Panelists:
Becky Gould, Executive Director, Nebraska Appleseed
M’Evie Mead, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Missouri Jobs With Justice
Kurt Petersen, Co-President, UNITE HERE Local 11
Moderator:
Lily Roberts, Managing Director, Economic Policy, Center for American Progress
WHEN:
Thursday, March 26, 2026
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Virtual event (online only)
RSVP:
Register at the following link.
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Christian Unkenholz at [email protected].