Extensive research refutes the claim that increasing the minimum wage causes increased unemployment and business closures.

According to a recent poll, 79 percent of Maryland voters believe the minimum wage should be raised to $8.25 in 2011 and increased to $10 by the year 2013.

Support was very strong across the political spectrum, with 89 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of independents and 60 percent of Republicans favoring an increase – as did 62 percent of those who identify as Tea Party voters.