This is shallow, headline grabbing reporting. And many readers are taken in by the headline and forget that everything an economist says is based on DOZEN assumptions that mostly get it wrong. Lets face it more disposable income redistributes wealth which raises the standard of living of those who are at the bottom. No HEALTHY small business is going to shut down because they have to pay their two employees a few buck more. As long as raises are kept to moderate ($15/hr is moderate) then all is fine.