Which of the following is a statement of normative economics? a. The minimum wage is good because it raises wages for the working poor. b. The minimum wage is supported by unions. c. The minimum wage reduces the number of jobs for less-skilled workers. d. The minimum wage encourages firms to substitute capital for labor.

Let's take a closer look at each statement: a. The minimum wage is good because it raises wages for the working poor. b. The minimum wage is supported by unions. c. The minimum wage reduces the number of jobs for less-skilled workers. d. The minimum wage encourages firms to substitute capital for labor.

Recalling that normative economics deals with value judgments or opinions, we can eliminate the statements that are based on facts or cause-and-effect relationships: a. The minimum wage is good because it raises wages for the working poor. (This statement contains a value judgment, as it expresses the belief that raising wages for the working poor is a good thing.) b. The minimum wage is supported by unions. (This statement is a fact, as it describes the position of unions regarding the minimum wage.) c. The minimum wage reduces the number of jobs for less-skilled workers. (This statement reflects a cause-and-effect relationship, as it discusses the potential consequences of the minimum wage on less-skilled workers.) d. The minimum wage encourages firms to substitute capital for labor. (This statement is a cause-and-effect relationship, as it explains how firms might adjust their strategies in response to the minimum wage.)

Based on our analysis, the statement representing normative economics is: a. The minimum wage is good because it raises wages for the working poor. (This statement contains a value judgment, indicating that it is a normative economics statement.) Thus, the answer is statement a.