It should increase IMO.

For example, if I were making minimum wage, and still making the
drive into downtown Houston every day, my gas bill alone just going
back and forth to work would consume 32% of my total take home pay.

( GROSS pay, not net )

I can't imagine trying to eke out a life at that pay rate.

I can't say what the minimum SHOULD be, but I do believe it should
be adjusted for inflation every year.

I mean damn, $580 Gross every two weeks is really sad.