This is in response to a March 12 story on increasing the minimum wage.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there about the possible consequences of raising the minimum wage. Opponents of the proposed legislation say that increasing the minimum wage would lead to job loss and that it could hurt small businesses.

There are many studies that have shown that increased costs may be offset by other benefits such as lower employee turnover, lower recruiting and training costs, higher employee productivity, decreased absenteeism and high worker morale.

Although the economy is currently experiencing a slow recovery, there is no evidence that this is a bad time to increase the minimum wage. There was no significant job loss when the minimum wage was raised in the past.

To stimulate the economy, money must be put back in the hands of consumers.

Increasing the minimum wage would accomplish that.

Ashley DeAngelo, Portland