Raising the minimum wage will increase costs for everyone.  The guy making minimum wage will get their increase then the guy who is making $15 an hour now will go to their boss and say they are worth more than minimum wage and want 20 bucks, then their boss will go to the owner of the company and say they need to make more than their employees and want 25 bucks. All of this will be passed onto the consumer which means an increase in the cost of living, more automation in the food industry and more outsourcing to India and Asia. The tourism industry will tank as visitors go to cheaper pastures. To top this all off when it all settles down in 2-3 years the minimum wage earner is back at the bottom of the food chain with increased costs being paid by consumers.