Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
August 31, 2009

Workers in 30 states and the District of Columbia have been affected by the June 24 increase in the federal minimum wage from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour, but the question of whether the increase will help or hurt the economy remains to be seen. “Families are relying on low minimum wages more than ever,” said Paul Sonn of the National Employment Law Project. “There is a widespread misconception that minimum-wage workers are largely comprised of teenagers working for spare change, but the demographic of minimum-wage workers is overwhelmingly adults.” U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said in a statement that the wage increase will generate an extra $5.5 billion in consumer spending over the next year. The federal increase was the last step in a minimum-wage increase phased in over a three-year period.   

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

Children gather over the destruction after an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Some of the “made in the U.S.A.” bombs Israel Defense Forces are dropping over Gaza include 2,000-pound bombs that have been responsible for some of the most devastating—and questionable—strikes of the months-long campaign against Hamas.
Kevin ClarkeMay 02, 2024
Many Jesuits schools have recently been sites of passionate protest, peaceful activism and regrettably some incidents of anti-Semitism.
Michael O’BrienMay 02, 2024
Directly ending human life—at any stage—tears the metaphysical tapestry of existence.
J.D. Long GarcíaMay 02, 2024
”The division and hatred that have been part of these protests and demonstrations do not come from the true God,” Father Roger L. Landry said.