Cuomo: $15 Minimum Wage Would Help 2.3M New Yorkers

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) —
FILE- In this Jan. 13, 2016 file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of the State address and executive budget proposal at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says his plan to phase in a $15-an-hour minimum wage in New York state would benefit 2.3 million workers by increasing their wages by $15.7 billion.

The numbers come from a report issued Wednesday by the Democratic governor.

The state’s current minimum wage is $9. Cuomo wants to phase in the $15 minimum by the end of 2018 in New York City and by July 1, 2021 in the rest of the state.

Cuomo’s analysis finds that half of those making the minimum wage currently are 35 or older.

N.Y. State Senate’s Republican majority has expressed concerns about the increase. Business groups say it would lead to increased costs and hurt businesses surviving in an already difficult economic climate.

 

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