MarketWatch (02/12/13)

Barrett Business Services Inc. reported a 34% increase in net revenues to $113.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $84.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Net income rose to $5.8 million in the fourth quarter, versus a net loss of $93,000 for the same period in 2011. Net revenues for all of 2012 totaled $402.7 million, up 28% from $314.9 million in 2011. Net income totaled $13.1 million in 2012, down from $14.3 million in 2011.

Staffing services revenues reached $33.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, up 8% from $31.3 million a year earlier. Staffing services revenues were $126.6 million for the full year, up 2% from $124.8 million in 2011.

MarketWatch (02/12/13)

Corporate Resource Services Inc. has reported results for the fourth quarter of 2012. The company posted record quarterly revenues of $200.2 million, an increase of 23.2% over the same quarter in 2011. Net income increased 74.2% to $2.0 million for the quarter.

Reuters (02/12/13) Roberta Rampton; Jeff Mason

President Obama proposed in his State of the Union address to increase the minimum wage by more than 20%, invest $50 billion on crumbling roads and bridges, and spend $15 billion on a construction jobs program in a bid to boost economic growth. Obama called on Congress to support his plan, which would include tax and education reforms that the administration believes would help attract manufacturers back to the U.S.

The minimum wage increase would lift incomes for 15 million Americans and be done in stages. White House officials say the move to boost the wage to $9 an hour, from $7.25, is aimed at addressing poverty and helping low-income Americans. The officials say economic studies show increasing the minimum wage is effective at reducing poverty while reducing turnover costs for businesses. The proposal likely will be opposed by Republicans and business groups, which have traditionally said raising the minimum wage discourages companies from hiring low-skilled workers.