Hint: The current minimum wage can almost get its driver's license
Answer: 

July 2009

Questions: 

• Do you think the federal government should set a minimum wage?
• Does $7.25 have the same amount of purchasing power now as it did in 2009?

• Why might a state choose to set its own minimum wage instead of following the federal $7.25?

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom. 

Behind the Numbers: (US Department of Labor)

The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Many states also have minimum wage laws. Some state laws provide greater employee protections; employers must comply with both.

About the Author

Dave Martin

Dave joins NGPF with 15 years of teaching experience in math and computer science. After joining the New York City Teaching Fellows program and earning a Master's degree in Education from Pace University, his teaching career has taken him to New York, New Jersey and a summer in the north of Ghana. Dave firmly believes that financial literacy is vital to creating well-rounded students that are prepared for a complex and highly competitive world. During what free time two young daughters will allow, Dave enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, gardening, and taking naps.