The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15 per hour since 1997, the longest period without a congressionally mandated increase since the federal minimum wage was introduced in 1938. Recently, the Pennsylvania House passed an increase to the minimum wage and now it moves on to the PA Senate. Governor Rendell wants an increase; critics say it will hurt business. We'll talk about the pros and cons of a minimum wage increase with Steve Herzenberg. Despite the improving job market--the country's economy has seen 31 consecutive months of job growth--real wages haven't kept pace with inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, real wages fell 0.9 percent last year, while workers' overall compensation (including benefits) was essentially flat. What does that mean? And what's being done in Pennsylvania to encourage the creation of good jobs, especially in high growth and emerging industries? In the second half of our program we'll talk with Emily Stover De Rocco, a 1983 Penn State graduate. In 2001, she was nominated by President Bush to be Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training in the U.S. Department of Labor. Guests: Steve Herzenberg & Emily Stover DeRocco