The Assembly Majority is committed to ending middle class erosion and reducing poverty by raising the minimum wage. I applaud Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for joining this effort to restore dignity to hard working employees.

No one who works full time should be forced to live in poverty. Full time employees should not have to choose between paying for housing, putting food on the table and providing clothes for their children. Higher wages mean higher incomes. Higher incomes mean greater spending, which provides a boost to local economies and encourages more hiring.

I am pleased that this debate about basic human dignity is now being taken up in Washington as well.