On Dec. 31, 2015, the last business day of 2015, the federal debt was $18,922,179,009,420.89. On Dec. 30, 2016, the last business day of 2016, it was $19,976,826,951,047.80.
Massachusetts business owners say further hikes in the state's minimum wage would increase their costs so much they might have to delay hiring or even move out of state, according to a business lobbying group.
About 71 percent of businesses surveyed last month say they would have to increase their payroll if the minimum wage increased to $15 an hour, according to Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which represents business interests on Beacon Hill.
