NY Business Group ‘Adamantly Opposed’ to $15 Minimum Wage

A leading business group says it remains “adamantly opposed” to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State, said such an increase would be particularly harmful to the upstate economy and could lead to fewer entry-level jobs overall.

Cuomo, a Democrat, repeated his call for a $15 minimum wage during his state-of-the-state address to lawmakers on Wednesday.

If approved, the $15 minimum would be the highest state wage floor in the nation.

The Business Council also has concerns about Cuomo’s proposal for paid family leave, a measure which would grant up to 12 weeks of paid time off for workers caring for sick loved ones or a new child.