On January 1st, a few states and cities will raise their minimum wage, renewing fears about the effect it will have on businesses and consumers. Some say that minimum wage increases have little affect on the consumer, but make a large difference in workers' lives, while others say that the increased costs do have an effect. San Francisco will raise its minimum wage to $10.24, something that the city says protects low-wage workers and helps the local economy.
See "New Minimum Wage Cuts Both Ways", Vauhini Vara and Ian Sherr, The Wall Street Journal, December 21, 2011