Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Friday, March 08, 2013

Minimum-Wage Workers In New York State Could Be Getting A Raise

Yesterday, that state's Assembly voted to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 per hour, and include automatic increases tied to inflation. The bill passed 101-44 in the Assembly, but is now stalled in the State Senate. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver called for the increase in response to President Obama's State of the Union speech last month. The proposal is not far off from a Governor Cuomo's recommendation, which calls for raising the minimum wage to $8.75 as part of a budget proposal later this month. State Senate Republican Leader, Dean Skelos, has spoken out against the increase, saying, "It just seems to be 'how high can you go?' with them." But some New York Republicans may be in the mood to bargain – trading an increase in the wage for some middle class tax cuts. It's about time for all workers get paid a living wage in our nation, and $9 isn't there yet, but it's nice to see New York moving in the right direction for low-wage workers.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sucks for the guy who has busted his tail for a year. Working his way up from minimum to $9.50... only to watch some flunky get a $1.75 raise for nothing. Pathetic. Lots of jobs will be consolidated because of this.

Anonymous said...

It will be really great for the minimum wage worker - a least any that keep their minimum function job. Amazing that elected officials keep pulling this stunt just to see unemployment rise - especially amongst the young and minorities.

Anonymous said...

Nobody in New York gets paid minimum wage.
This is just a way of rewarding unions because their contracts are based on mutiples of minimum wage.

Anonymous said...

Get a clue 2:59.

No Union worker makes close to $9. It has nothing what so ever to do with their wages. They are not that stupid to depend on increases of minimum wages to up their pay.

Anonymous said...

Maryland democrats are looking to raise it in MD. And guess who is behind it? Costco-the big box store with billions in profits.
They can raise their fees and prices in such a way that consumers won't take notice. This will only hurt the small independant businesses which is what large corps like Costco want to do in order to eliminate more and more competition.
This is why I have no use for the democratic voters. They are just plain stupid. I have no tolerance for ignorance. They believe things like republicans are in bed with big business when in fact it is the democrats.