Minimum wage increase creates some stress, relief

Washington State’s minimum wage increased by 37 cents on Jan. 1 to make the current minimum wage $9.04 an hour. This increase has made local business owners nervous and uncertain about the changes they might have to make in the near future.

Sam Duncan, co-owner of Ritzville Drug Company, refuses to let any of his employees go, mainly because the store is currently being run by a total of five employees. Last year, the store had to lay off one employee at the beginning of the year because of the increased minimum wage.

“We’re down to minimum staff already. We’d shorten store hours instead of la...