Impact of Increased Minimum Wages on the Economies of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Bibliography

Government Reports, Surveys, and Testimonies

U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Census of Population and Housing: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Prepared by Economic and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, May 2003.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Economic Census of Island Area: Northern Mariana Islands, 2002. Prepared by Economic and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, May 2004.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Economic Census of Island Area: American Samoa, 2002. Prepared by Economic and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, April 2005.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Estimated Total Population, labor Force, Employment, and Personal Income from the 2005 Household, Income, and Expenditure Survey. September 2007.

U.S. Congress. Joint Economic Committee. 50 Years of Research on the Minimum Wage. February 15, 1995.

American Samoa Department of Commerce. American Samoa's Economic Future and the Cannery Industry. Prepared by the Department of Commerce, American Samoa government and Malcolm D. McPhee and Associates, Forthcoming.

American Samoa Department of Commerce, Statistical Yearbook 2006. Pago Pago, American Samoa.

CNMI Department of Commerce, Statistical Yearbook 2002. Prepared by the CNMI Central Statistics Division, Department of Commerce. Saipan, MP.

U.S. Department of Commerce. Economic Indicator: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Prepared by the Central Statistics Division, Department of Commerce. Saipan, MP, 2007.

U.S. Department of Labor. Economic Report: The Minimum Wage in American Samoa, 2007. Prepared by the Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, May 2007.

U.S. Department of Labor. Evaluation of the Hay Report: Minimum Wage analysis for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Prepared by the Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, March 1998.

U.S. Department of Labor. Special Industry Committee Number 27 for American Samoa.  Pre-hearing Statement of StarKist Samoa, Inc., May 30, 2007.

U.S. Department of Labor. Special Industry Committee Number 27 for American Samoa.  Pre-hearing Statement of Cos Samoa Packing Company, May 30, 2007.

U.S. Department of Labor. Report of American Samoa Industry Committee Number 26 Based upon Hearings Conducted June 20-June 24, 2005 in the Senate Chambers of the Fono Pago Pago, American Samoa. Prepared by the Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

U.S. Department of the Interior. American Samoa. Unpublished briefing paper prepared by the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior. Washington, DC, December 2007.

U.S. Department of the Interior. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Unpublished briefing paper prepared by the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior. Washington, DC, December 2007.

U.S. Department of the Interior. The Economic and Financial Impact of American Samoa Cannery Shutdown on the Territory’s Economy, Employment, Public Sector and the Federal Budget. Prepared by the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior. Washington, DC, July 2006.

U.S. Department of the Interior. 2006 Island Fellows: A Private Sector Assessment for American Samoa. Prepared by the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior. Washington, DC, August 2006.

Congressional Research Service. The Federal Minimum Wage and American Samoa, by Whittaker, William. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, May 2007.

Government of American Samoa. A Report to the Governor on Minimum Wage Increases and Escalating Clause Impact. Prepared by the Minimum Wage Task Force. November 21, 2007.

Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands. Testimony Prepared for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, August 2007. 

Strategic Economic Development Council’s Unified CNMI Minimum Wage Position. Private Sector Task Force submitted to the Honorable Governor Benigno R. Fitial, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, January 3, 2007.

Strategic Economic Development Council. Tourism, Japan Airlines, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marians Islands: An Economic Impact Analysis. June 2005.

Periodicals, Studies, and Working Papers

Bernstein, Jared, and John Schmitt. Briefing Paper: The Impact of the Minimum Wage. Washington, DC: Economic Policy Institute, June 2000.

Deere, Donald, Kevin M. Murphy, and Finis Welch. “Sense and Nonsense on the Minimum Wage.” Regulation, Number 1, 1995.

Freeman, Alida Castillo, and Richard B. Freeman. Minimum Wages in Puerto Rico: Textbook Case of a Wage Floor? Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 3759, June 1991.

Hamnett, Michael, and William Sam Pintz. The Contribution of Tuna fishing and Transshipment to the Economies of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Honolulu, HI: Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, 1996.

Krueger, Alan B. The Effect of the Minimum Wage When It Really Bites: A Reexamination of the Evidence from Puerto Rico. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 4757, June 1994.

Lester, Richard A. “Wage Differential and Minimum Wage Effects.” In Labor Economics and Industrial Relations: Market and Institutions, edited by Clark Kerr and Paul D Staudohar, 189-205. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1994.

Erin Lett and Judith Banister, “Labor Costs of Manufacturing Employees in China: An Update to 2003–04,” Monthly Labor Review  129, no. 11 (November 2006): p. 40-45.

Neumark, David, and Olena Nizalova. Minimum Wage Effects in the Longer Run. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 10656, July 2004.

Neumark, David, and William Wascher. Minimum Wage Effects and Low-Wage Labor Markets: A Disequilibrium Approach. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 4617, January 1994.

Neumark, David, William Wascher. Minimum Wage and Employment: A Review of Evidence from the New Minimum Wage Research. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 12663, November 2006.

Neumark, David, and William Wascher. Employment Effects of Minimum and Subminimum Wages. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 4570, December 1993.

Northern Marianas College, Business Development Center. An Economic Study for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Saipan, MP: Northern Marianas College, October 1999.

Malcolm D. McPhee and Associates. An Economic Development Strategy for American Samoa. Prepared for the Office of Development Planning, American Samoa government. Olympia, WA: Malcolm D. McPhee and Associates, September 1981.

Shin, Jong Soon. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Business Opportunities Report. Prepared for the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior. CNMI, July 2007.

Turner, Rick. American Samoa Business Opportunities Report. Prepared for the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of Interior. American Samoa, July 2007.

Articles

Calindas, Marconi. “Over 50-Year-Old Business Shuts Down.” Saipan Tribune, October 4, 2007.

de la Torre, Ferdie. “Two More Garment Factories Shutting Down.” Saipan Tribune, November 12, 2007.

Deposa, Moneth G. “Call Center Opening Doubtful.” Marianas Variety, November 15, 2007.

Malama Communications, Inc. “Fono Report Foretells Economic Recession.” Malama TV http://malama.solupress.com/malama/news/articles/article1628.asp May 15, 2007.

Mata’afa, Tina. “Preliminary Findings Are Grim, Impact Study Team Reports.” Samoa News, September 21, 2007.

Mata’afa, Tina. “Impact Study Emphasizes Role of Feds in Territory’s Economic Development.” Samoa News, September 22, 2007.

Mata’afa, Tina. “StarKist Points Out Termination in ASPA’s PPC.” Samoa News

Matthews, Robert Guy. “Ship Shortage Pushes Up Prices of Raw Materials.” Wall Street Journal, October 22, 2007.

Sagapolutele, Fili. “With wage hikes on Horizon Hopes for New Jobs Fade.” Samoa News.

Sagapolutele, Fili. “Minimum Wage Bill Slammed In American Samoa.” Pacific Magazine, June 4, 2007.

South Seas Broadcasting, Inc. “Task Force Reports on Impact of Escalator Clause in the Minimum Wage Law.” KHJ News http://khjnews.solupress.com/khjnews/news/articles/article4898.asp  November 19, 2007.

South Seas Broadcasting, Inc. “Governor Forms New Economic Advisory Council.” KHJ News http://khjnews.solupress.com/khjnews/news/articles/article4891.asp  November 19, 2007.

South Seas Broadcasting, Inc. “U.S. House Approves 1 Year Extension of Tax Credits.” KHJ News http://khjnews.solupress.com/khjnews/news/articles/article4751.asp November 9, 2007.

South Seas Broadcasting, Inc. “Chamber of Commerce Members Not Directly Affected by Wage Hikes but Worried About Canneries.” KHJ News http://khjnews.solupress.com/khjnews/news/articles/article1367.asp June 5, 2007.

South Seas Broadcasting, Inc. “Samoa Packing Plans Layoff of More Than 200 Employees.” KHJ News http://khjnews.solupress.com/khjnews/news/articles/article1364.asp June 5, 2007.

Wolman, Lewis. “What’s American Samoa’s Future If Canneries Pack Up?” Pacific Magazine, January 1, 2002.

Interviews

Avegalio, Tusi.  July 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Dr. Avegalio is affiliated with the University of Hawaii and recently conducted a survey in American Samoa of the local population’s skills (English fluency, computer literacy, basic math skills).

Ayre, Gary.  November 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Ayre is President and Chief Executive Officer of ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank.

Benedetto, Jim .  November 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Benedetto works for the Department of the Interior’s Federal Ombudsman's Office in CNMI.

Betham, Jason. September 2007.  Interview by James Carter and Jay Berman (via telephone).  Mr. Betham works for the Development Bank of American Samoa.

Blatt, Bob.  September & December 2007.  September interview by Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (via telephone).  December interview by James Carter and Jay Berman (via telephone).  Mr. Blatt is the Chief Financial Officer for Chicken of the Sea.

Bonham, James.  October 2007.  Interview by Ronald Bird, James Carter and Jay Berman.  Mr. Bonham works for BrownRudnick, representing Del Monte Foods.

Cabrera, Lee.  December 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Cabrera is the Port of Saipan Manager with the Commonwealth Ports Authority.

Cohen, David.  Multiple discussions starting in June 2007.  Mr. Cohen is a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Interior.  He oversees the department’s Office of Insular Affairs.

Conway, Dick.  August 2007.  Interview by Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (via telephone).  Dr. Conway is Malcolm McPhee’s associate (see below).

Faleafine-Nomura, Lydia.  September 2007.  Interview by Ronald Bird, James Carter, and Jay Berman (via telephone).  Ms. Faleafine-Nomura is a field representative in American Samoa for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

Faleomavaega, Eni F. Fall 2007.  Interview by Ronald Bird, James Carter, Jay Berman, Eric Snyder.  Mr. Faleomavaega is a Member of Congress, representing American Samoa.

Gray, Sara.  June 2007.  Interview by James Carter.  Ms. Gray worked for the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

Guerrero, Juan .  November 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Guerrero was the President of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

Hamnett, Michael.  August 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Dr. Hamnett is the Executive Director of the Research Corporation at the University of Hawaii.

Higgins, Terry.  September 2007.  Interview by James Carter and Jay Berman (via telephone).  Dr. Higgins works for the University of Tennessee.

Jackson, Susan.  September and October 2007.  Interviews by Ronald Bird, et al.  Ms. Jackson is Vice President of Government Relations for Del Monte Foods.

Keyser, Michael.  October 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Keyser is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the American Samoa Power Authority.

Knecht, Larry.  November 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Knecht is Executive Vice President of Pacific Telecom Inc. in CNMI.

Knight, Lynn.  October 2007.  Two interviews by James Carter, et al (via telephone).  Ms. Knight is President of the Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas Islands.

Lin, James.  December 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via email).  Mr. Lin is President of the Saipan Garment Manufacturing Association.

Lipsen, Janice.  December 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Ms. Lipsen is the American Samoan Governor’s representative in Washington, D.C.

Maximo, Wilfredo DeLeon.  December 2007.  Exchange of emails with James Carter.  Mr. Maximo is the Philippine Consulate General in the CNMI.

McPhee, Malcolm.  Multiple discussions with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (via telephone and email) starting in August 2007.  Dr. McPhee founded Malcolm D. McPhee & Associates (Economic Development & Research Services).

Osman, Wali.  Multiple discussions with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (in person, via telephone and email) starting in June 2007.  Dr. Osman is an economist in the Office of Insular Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Pangelinan, Frica.  November 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Ms. Pangelinan is a senator (and chair of the Economic Development Committee) in the CNMI.

Pierce, Marian.  November 2007.  Interview by James Carter and Mary Ziegler (via telephone).  Ms. Pierce is President of Duty Free Shoppers in the CNMI.

Pierce, Richard.  Multiple discussions with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (in person, via telephone and email) starting in September 2007.  Mr. Pierce is Assistant to the Governor for Trade Relations & Economic Affairs in the CNMI.

Pula, Nik.  Multiple discussions with James Carter (via telephone) starting in November 2007.  Mr. Pula works for the Office of Insular Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Robinson, David.  Multiple discussions with James Carter, Mary Ziegler, et al (via telephone) starting in September 2007.  Mr. Robinson is President of the Chamber of Commerce in American Samoa.

Rubin, Marc.  September 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Rubin works for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sablan, Alex.  December 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Sablan is a marketing manager with the Saipan Shipping Company.

Sablan, Tina.  October 2007.  Interview with James Carter and Mary Ziegler (via telephone).  Ms. Sablan is running for political office in the CNMI.

Sander, Stephen.  December 2007.  Interview with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al.  Mr. Sander is Legislative & Congressional Liaison in the Office of Insular Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Schorr, Jeff.  November 2007.  Interview with James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Schorr is a field representative for the Office of Insular Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Signorino, John.  September 2007.  Interview with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (via telephone).  Mr. Signorino is President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicken of the Sea.

Suyderhoud, Jack.  September 2007.  Interview with James Carter and Jay Berman (via telephone).  Dr. Suyderhoud is professor of business economics at the College of Business Administration at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

Turner, Rick.  September 2007.  Interview with James Carter and Jay Berman (via telephone).  Mr. Turner was an Island Fellow (serving in American Samoa) for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Watson, Steve.  September 2007.  Interview by James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Watson is Vice President of the ANZ Amerika Bank.

Williams, Angie.  Multiple discussions with James Carter (in person, via telephone and email) starting in June 2007.  Ms. Williams is an Advisor for Economic Policy in the Office of Insular Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Willins, Howard.  December 2007.  Interview with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al.  Mr. Willins is Special Legal Counsel & Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Governor in the CNMI.

Zak, Paul.  December 2007.  Interview with James Carter (via telephone).  Mr. Zak is Chief Executive Officer of the Milgar Corporation in the CNMI.

Zive, Joshua.  Multiple discussions with Ronald Bird, James Carter, et al (in person, via telephone and email) starting in November 2007.  Mr. Zive is an attorney with Bracewell & Giuliani.  He represents Chicken of the Sea.

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