MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS IN THE TRI-CITIES REGION AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN PAY. THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES 70 CENTS FROM $5.85 AN HOUR TO $6.55 AN HOUR STARTING TODAY. SOME SMALL BUSINESSES ARE EXPECTED TO PASS THE COST OF THE WAGE HIKE ONTO CONSUMERS. FOR MANY, THIS WILL DO VERY LITTLE TO COMBAT RISING FOOD AND GAS PRICES. THE LABOR DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK REPORTED THE FASTEST INFLATION SINCE 1991.