Assemblyman James Skoufis (D-Woodbury) announced the Assembly passed legislation he sponsored that would increase the state minimum wage to $9.00 per hour beginning in January 2014 (A.38-A). The bill would also index the minimum wage to the rate of inflation beginning in 2015 in an effort to reflect annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Additionally, the bill would set wages for food service workers who receive tips to $6.21 per hour.
“There are far too many people in this state who work hard every single day yet struggle to make ends meet, put dinner on the table and pay their bills,” Skoufis said. “These hard workers deserve a boost, and as a matter of fairness, raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do. It has been one of my top priorities, and I take great pride in knowing I was able to help the Assembly deliver on a promise that means so much to so many families.”
In addition to 16 other states and the District of Columbia, the neighboring states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont all have higher minimum wages than New York State. Ten other states have already passed legislation indexing the minimum wage to the rate of inflation. Despite a continuous increase in the cost of living, New York’s minimum wage has increased just 10 cents per hour in the last six years, noted Assemblyman Skoufis. The last minimum wage increase occurred in 2009 when the federal minimum wage was increased from $7.15 to $7.25 an hour.
“Increasing the minimum wage would help put a little extra money back in the pockets of those most likely to spend it locally, providing a much-needed boost to both small businesses and the local economy,” Skoufis added. “I strongly urge the Senate to take action on this legislation so the hardworking men and women of New York can have a little more financial piece of mind.”
