Raise the minimum wage (suggest $12) without putting a financial hardship on the employers as follows ...
1- Offset the minimum wage increase by a decrease in the employers income tax -- could enter as a tax credit on tax return.
2- Offset decrease in employers income tax, which results in less government revenue, by an increase in top earners income tax.
3- Result? A fair living wage for the employees which helps the economy via increased employee spending WITH NO APPRECIABLE NET INCREASE IN TAXES!
Now, I realize this could not be done with just a snap of the finger. But, a listing adjusted periodically, of employers and the number of their minimum wage employees is a starting point for a task force of mathematically inclined persons to come up with a proposal.