Instead of increasing the minimum wage, hold employers accountable for any state assistance their employees receive.

Businesses with more than 20 employees will reimburse the government for any state benefits their employees receive. OR They can increase the wages so the employees no longer need state assistance. This is a win-win. Employers should provide living wages, but mandating minimums is too strict. This gives them the flexibility that they need. Taxpayers and the government will no longer subsidize large corporations who underpay their employees. This will not help those who do not make a living wage but make too much for state assistance, but they will not be helped by a multi-year long argument about the minimum wage either, so lets make a law that can be supported by all sides and can help the government, business and the economy.