It’s often debated where the funds for increases in minimum wages will come from – advocates say that business can absorb it in their bottom line, while business explains they will likely have to increase prices.  Well, Starbucks gave their answer with the announcement this week that their prices increased approximately 1% around the country, but an average of 3.5% in their Seattle base.  Although company spokesman Jim Olson wouldn’t specify what contributed to the increase (coffee prices haven’t risen), Seattle was first in the nation to raise its minimum wage to $15/hour beginning this past April.  In a case of pure coincidence I’m sure, the 3.5% increase in pricing in the 300 greater Seattle stores is close to matching the 12-month increase of 3.57% in average hourly earnings for the area announced in May.