In a time when the gap between the upper and lower classes seems to be getting wider, some wonder if raising the minimum wage rapidly is the best action to take.

It’s not.

Economists disagree about what kind of effects these minimum wage increases are actually going to have. Previous times in which the minimum wage has gone up, it has increased slowly.

In theory, an increase in the minimum wage is beneficial. More money paid to workers gives them more money to spend. This gives low-wage workers the ability to more easily afford to pay rent, put food on the table and take care of their families. It could lead to a higher standard of living.

This is assuming businesses will not have to lay off too many workers.

With higher wages required, the cost of labor has increased. Either prices will have to increase or the number of workers will decrease, or both. Equipment could substitute workers, or companies may produce less output in general.

“We had to cut back our staff and be aware of the hours that we scheduled,” said Judy Olsen, Village Commons Bookstore Greek department manager.

The prices at Java 101 were increased on the first of this year to compensate for the minimum wage increases.

“I think it’s a political farce,” said Dr. Michael Fitzgerald, the owner of Java 101.

Fitzgerald said raising the minimum wage is intended to aid the lower class, but in reality, it may not actually help.

“Contracts are being lost to other states with a much lower wage,” Fitzgerald said.

Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurant also had to increase prices recently to afford the raise in labor costs, said assistant manager Kyle London.

While the minimum wage remained at its same level, the cost of living and goods in the United States increased. This has decreased the value of the minimum wage.

However, the actual number of employees who receive the minimum wage when you look at the entire United States economy is relatively small.

From effects that have been already been felt so far, raising the minimum wage this much in this little amount of time isn’t really helping anyone.