1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) Which party wants to increase the minimum wage the government requires businesses to pay entry-level employees?
b) Which party does not support government increasing the minimum wage?

3. a) What effect does Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy say raising the minimum wage employers must pay employees to $10.10/hour will have?
b) How does Connecticut's Democratic Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey view the government mandated minimum wage increase to $10.10/hour?

4. For what reasons do Republicans oppose increasing the mandated minimum wage?

5. a) Connecticut's current minimum wage is $8.70/hour. What is the federal minimum wage?
b) The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a federal agency within the legislative branch of the U.S. government that provides economic data to Congress. What did the CBO say the effect of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour nationally, as President Obama is working to do, will have on employment?

6. Understanding both sides of this issue is necessary before forming your own opinion. Most media reports favor the Democratic position (raising the minimum wage will help families - can't raise a family on minimum wage, it will help women, it will help the economy). The position opposing a government mandated increase is not as often explained in the media. To gain an understanding of both sides, watch the video under "Resources" below and read the commentaries.
a) List the reasons for and against the government mandating a higher minimum wage.
b) Think about the reasons people have for opposing or supporting government mandated increases. With which position do you agree? (Who has the stronger argument?) Explain your answer.
c) Ask a parent if he/she thinks raising the minimum wage will have a positive or negative impact on the economy (or no impact either way) and to explain why he/she thinks so.