By ALEXANDRA OLSON, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Costco will increase its starting wage to $16 an hour, surpassing most of its main competitors. Costco CEO Craig Jelinek announced the increase Thursday at a Senate Budget Committee hearing, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, to examine wages at major companies. Jelinek said the starting wage for Costco employees would rise to $16 next week, up from $15