Raising the Wage Will Help Struggling Families, Boost Economy
Albany, NY – In response to Governor Cuomo’s proposed changes to the minimum wage in New York, Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, said:
“With New York’s designation as the most unequal state in the country, any increase in the minimum wage is a welcome step and $10.50 is a start. Unfortunately, Governor Cuomo’s proposal is also a missed opportunity to ?raise the wage to what New Yorkers really need. New York ?should be a national leader by raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, instead of lagging behind others that are ?already headed there. Citizen Action will continue to fight for a minimum wage of $15 an hour, automatic increases indexed to inflation, and the authority for local governments to raise the wage even higher, so that New Yorkers can have a sustainable wage. If Governor Cuomo wants a vibrant economy that works for everyone, he should make sure that every worker has the opportunity to earn a living wage. $10.50 an hour is not enough.”
Families Out of Balance, a report released in September, found that a living wage for a New York State resident is at least $18.47 an hour.
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