After attending a press conference held by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) is speaking out against the proposed $15 an hour minimum wage hike in New York State as a hindrance to businesses and a job killer. According to the Empire Center, a $15/hour minimum wage increase would cost the state at least 200,000 jobs.

“Everyone can agree with giving the working class a raise but we need to do it in an economically sound manner,” McDonough said. “But, by increasing the minimum wage by 67 percent, we will lose jobs and punish the people we are seeking to protect. Furthermore, small businesses will pass their increased labor costs down to consumers and we will all pay more for things like groceries, restaurants and movie theatre visits.”

McDonough offered several alternatives to the minimum wage that would help young people acquire the skills necessary to be competitive in the job market and achieve a higher earning potential.

“The minimum wage was meant to be an entry level wage,” McDonough said. “We should focus on preparing the next generation with the skills necessary to achieve a high standard of living so they don’t have to rely on minimum wage positions. That’s why I sponsor A.8691-A, which provides community college merit and mobility scholarships so more high school graduates can attend college and find better-paying jobs.”