Beginning 1-1-17, minimum wage rates increased in the 20 states as listed below.  The rate rose for example $1 in Massachusetts to $11 an hour and rose 50 cents in California to $10.50 per hour.  In total, about 4.4 million workers in the USA received a minimum wage rate increase on 1-1-17.  Economists report that increasing the wage rate results in companies avoiding adding workers, yet increases put more money in the pockets of low-wage earners.  The latter is a very ethical and nice thing to do, but the first responsibility of any business is to stay in business, since otherwise there would be no jobs.

Washington, DC, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Connecticut, Vermont, Arizona, Alaska, New York Colorado, Maryland, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, South Dakota, Arkansas, New Jersey, Ohio, Montana, Florida, Missouri

Source:  Based on Eric Morath, “Wave of Higher Minimums in 2017 will Test Whether Raises Help or Harm Workers,” Wall Street Journal, January 1, 2017, A3