The head of an organization for Iowa small businesses says there’s nothingRepublicans in Congress can do to “sugarcoat” a minimum wage increase. Congress soon will debate an increase in the minimum wage, but the bill hasabout 100-million dollars in tax cuts. David Brasher (bray’-shur) is theIowa director for the National Federation of Independent Business.Brasher says his group always has and always will oppose government-mandatedstarting wage levels.Iowa’s labor market is so tight, most employers are forced to offer hourlywages above the minimum wage to attract and keep workers. Brasher(bray’-shur) says while his group is opposed to the minimum wage increase,small businessmen and women aren’t bombarding Iowa’s Congressionaldelegation with letters and phone calls. The minimum wage is presently five-dollars-and-15 cents an hour.