what is minimum wage?  when was it raised last?
462737
The Federal minimum wage is 5.15.  It was raised in 1997 from 4.75.  Each state also has a minimum wage that may be more or less than that.  THis is a really cool interactive map that shows what the rates are in each state: http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm
1150332
The Federal Minimum wage is $5.15/hour.  Many states have higher minimum wage laws.  \nCheck out this site from the Dept. of Labor.  It has a map that shows which states have higher or the same minimum wage as the Federal minimum wage.  It also tells you what the minimum wage is in each state.\nhttp://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm
91407
The minimum wage in this country hasn't changed at all since 1997. During that time, we can assume that on average there was an increase in over-all costs of around 3% per year due to inflation. This is actually a healthy inflation rate if you look at growth historically. Alan Greenspan, the recently retired chairman of the federal reserve, was a bulldog when it came to fighting inflation. \n\nDuring this time, however, the congress has not voted to increase minimum wage. This has been voted down numerous times. The rational for this is that the Republican majority who are now in control believe that wages should be set by the market. Therefore, if market conditions warrant paying individuals more money then they will get it due to the invisible hand of market force. The claim is that minimum wage hikes will cost businesses too much money and they will be put out of business and it actually will depress the economy. Many cities and states, however, have a higher minimum wage than the federally mandated minimum and their economies do not seem to have been hindered in the way in which supply-side economist project. This is a never ending debate between classical and keynsian economist and unfortunately for those making minimum wage, the people in charge currently, are of the classical persuasion and are not fans of regulation. They think the market should be allowed to control all aspects of the economy.
997650
Definitely.  the current minimum wage pays a worker around $200 for a 40-hour week.  Unless you're eating dog food, you can't live on that little money.  And there are millions of Americans who do their best.\n\nBut Congress doesn't care about poor people, so they refuse to allow them to earn a wage they can actually live on.  It's disgusting, the way the government craps on the very people who need their help the most.
355603
It is regulated by the Department of Labor's  Wage and Hour division.  Although most States have their own Minimum Wage laws and an employee is entitled to which ever rate is higher the state or the federal minimum wage.
957432
I used to work for McDonald's when minimum wage was $3.35 an hour.  We were supposedly entitled to an evaluation every so often with an accompanying raise.  When minimum wage went up a dollar more and we employees were up for our yearly evaluation and raise, we got a raise all right ... the cheapskate gave us a buck raise to meet minimum wage!  Believe me, if no one is willing to report management to the Board of Labor for whatever reason, they can get away with anything.
875872
coming from someone who is in a labor union i would say that if minimum wage goes up than our wages would go up as well because they use minimum wage as kind of a baseline to gauge all other wages. but im not really sure just a guess.
411383
Current minimum wage is 5.15/hour. There is nothing in Texas pending. On the federal level, there were 2 proposals last year. The Democratic proposal would have raised it to 7.25/hour; this effort was led by Ted Kennedy. The Republican proposal would have raised it to 6.25/hour; this effort was led by Sen Rick Santorum. These were to be added to the bankruptcy law last year but both of these were defeated.
431796
It is 5.15 per hour.  Dang, I would hope you would set your sights higher than minimum.  Try waiting tables.  It pays a lot better and the hours aren't bad.\n\nIt's more complicated than the other answerer would have you believe...some states even have a minimum wage lower than the federal standard which is 5.15.  Colorado's state minimum wage , as of the beginning of April, was 5.15.  Other states have other rules.
791218
Hey everyone who says this person is quoting an incorrect figure, I'm sure if you thought about it, it's reasonable to assume the asker means the adjusted to 2006 dollars minimum wage in 1950 is $6.13.  That means the 80 cent (or whatever it was) minimum wage in 1950 has the same purchasing power as $6.13 in 2006.\n\nIf you have to survive on minimum wage you have big problems.  Most likely you didn't pay attention or do very well in school and you probably didn't graduate.  Either your high school didn't offer or you didn't take advantage of vocational training.  You may be a drug addict or an alcoholic.  Anyone who needs to depend on minimum wage for longer than a year has little motivation.  The government basically guarantees loans to low income persons for vocational school or college.\n\nWhen I say you, I do not mean you I mean the person in question who is relying on minimum wage.\n\nReally there shouldn't be a minimum wage, you should be paid according to your value to the company, we only have a minimum wage because there are a lot of companies who know that lower wage earners are a dime a dozen and they can take advantage of them because they need a job and they'll take anything even if it is less than min wage.\n\nBefore Ohio passed its law raising the wage to $6.85 and linking an annual increase to the Consumer Price Index I purposely looked for jobs that paid minimum wage.  Guess what?  I couldn't find any.  At the motel I run we pay people minimum wage for their first two weeks (just to make sure we have someone who is going to last) then bump them to $6.50.  Most of the other service industry businesses in this area pay similarly
534351
I'm not sure what minimum wage is now.
209206
$10.00 or less per hour is Min wage anything below that is poverty level, the problem is our goverment hasn't wokeup to face the reason why ? it takes two people living together just to make it in this country, AMEN TO THAT !
284033
That is the point of raising the minimum wage.  It goes up when the price of living goes up.  Doesn't life suck! lol
427782
I would say that anytime is the right time. At least, anytime since 1996, the last time they rose minimum wage. \n\nThe economy has really that boost since post 9/11 though. History shows that a rise in minimum wage have increased consumer spending power and overall, improved middle class financial responsibility by promoting personal savings.\n\nWith elections coming up for many political positions very soon, I actually think that minimum wage may become a plank in many candidates platforms. It is on a lot of people's minds. I think that it is really needed.
1037514
what state?  minimum wage is different in every state.
578727
Minimum wage runs around $5.75 or $6 an hour- NOT a livable wage. Congress doesn't care about it since they can go in practically penniless and come out 4 years later a millionaire.
1109536
It is total bullshit.\n\nLast year the federal minimum wage at $5.15 per hour was $3.50 below in purchasing power of what it was in 1968. Today's minimum wage has the lowest purchasing power since 1949 when economic productivity per worker was a fraction of what it is today, when the super-rich corporate bosses had not become hyper-rich averaging over $8000 an hour. \n\nThe last increase to $5.15 per hour was in 1997. Except for one year of restraint, members of Congress have zipped their annual pay grab through the House and Senate every year. Just the increases in that period amount to about three times the annual minimum wage income for millions of American laborers. No wonder poverty has been on the increase. \n\nRest assured, neither the Democratic nor the Republican leadership will stop their annual pay raise. The House already has passed their pay grab. Shame is a rare commodity when it comes to the moral authority to govern. \n\nWhy do we let them get away with such Marie Antoinette values?