11.   Another obstacle is that unions may not be allowed to bargain to raise the wages of workfare recipients because their pay is a welfare check.

12.   As a result, employees in many industries that have traditionally paid minimum wage, such as fast-food restaurants, are already raising wages above the minimum.

13.   As recently as February, the acting governor seemed to be still solidly against raising wages.

14.   At a time when many Americans are concerned about the growing gap between rich and poor, Democrats have pushed hard to raise the wage.

15.   At the start of the decade, the last time the government raised the wage, employment went up, not down, and prices barely budged.

16.   A drop in the pool of skilled workers could force employers to raise wages to attract the candidates they need.

17.   A drop in the pool of skilled workers looking for jobs could force employers to raise wages to attract the candidates they need.

18.   A major labor union leader last week called for national strikes unless wages are raised to compensate for the higher prices.

19.   A scarcity of skilled workers is causing companies to raise wages.

20.   A slower economy, the thinking goes, reduces the demand for workers, taking pressure off employers to raise wages.