Federal Minimum Wage Increase

Posted on July 20, 2009 by admin

• Lowest-wage workers to get a pay hike, By Tony Pugh, July 19, 2009, Miami Herald: The final installment of a three-part increase in the federal minimum wage is proving to be the most controversial. Two previous wage hikes, one in 2007, the other in 2008, pushed the federal wage to $5.85 and then to the current $6.55 an hour. The third, which goes into effect Friday, will push it to $7.25 an hour…”
• Minimum wage rise: More money or fewer jobs?, By Marilyn Geewax, July 19, 2009, National Public Radio: “This Friday, the federal minimum wage will rise to $7.25 an hour, up from $6.55. Conservative economists are worried that the government-mandated raise will force small businesses to lay off workers. They note that the job market has deteriorated since Congress approved the 10.7 percent pay raise two years ago…”