[Mike80911]

I have eight employees at my café. I start everyone at minimum wage which in NY is $8.75. Once they have been with me a while and prove their value I raise their salary. My highest paid employee is currently making $12 per hour plus tips. If the minimum wage is increased to $15 per hour I will be faced with two choices lay off half my staff and only use 1 person per shift or close the doors completely. How does this help get people off of government assistance? Either 4 people will become unemployed or all 8 will. This is a small business that I keep basically because my wife enjoys it. There is really not much money in it so I have no problem closing the doors as I have other incomes that pay my bills.
Why not cut out some the taxes I pay on each of my employees and require the business owner to pass this money on to the employees.? I would gladly do that and if the powers that be are truly concerned with helping those workers they should be glad to do it.