02.27.13 Minimum Wage Press Conference

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For Immediate Release: February 27, 2013Contact: Gary Ginsburg |[email protected]| 518-817-6193

Jonathan Davis |[email protected]| 917-544-2213Senate Democratic Conference Calls For Minimum Wage Increase

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Conference today called for immediate action to raise theNew York State minimum wage and index future increases to the rate of inflation. The conferenceheld a press event stating that with the support of all 27 Democratic Conference Senators and theexpressed support of multiple other Senators in various media outlets, legislation to raise theminimum wage and index it to the rate of inflation would pass the Senate and should be brought tothe floor.

The time has come to raise the states minimum wage and help break the cycle of poverty faced byover 1.1 million hard working New Yorkers which blocks them from achieving the AmericanDream, Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. Raising the NewYorks minimum wage and indexing it to the rate of inflation is supported by the overwhelmingmajority of New Yorkers, across the political spectrum. I urge immediate action to ensure that allNew Yorkers are provided fair wages for their hard work.

The legislation, advanced by Senator Adriano Espaillat and supported by the DemocraticConference, would not only increase the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour, but would also indexfuture increases with the rate of inflation. This legislation will ensure that New Yorkers earning theminimum wage never again incur de facto pay cuts due to stagnant wages and increased costs ofliving.

Its getting harder and harder for low-income families to pay their rent and provide for theirchildren, and raising the minimum wage will help people across the state keep their heads abovewater, said Senator Adriano Espaillat. By not just raising the minimum wage, but also indexingit to inflation, we can assist struggling New Yorkers and keep the minimum wages purchasingpower from eroding over time. This increase wont just help minimum wage earnersit will serveas powerful economic stimulus and boost localbusinesses in our communities.

The members of the Senate Democratic Conference have been long-time supporters and advocates

for raising the minimum wage and have held forums, called for votes, commissioned reports andorganized rallies to demonstrate that increasing the minimum wage is not only the right thing to domorally, but also economically. Providing minimum wage earners with greater compensation fortheir hard work will help stimulate local economic growth throughout the state and lead to thecreation of thousands of jobs.
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Democratic Conference Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, Raising the minimum wage isnot only the right thing to do, it will also strengthen our economy and speed our recovery. NewYorkers clearly support a higher minimum wage and so do the Senate Democrats. I urge mycolleagues to join with our Conference to ensure all New Yorkers earn a fair wage.

Senator Eric Adams said, As of the beginning of this year ten states have increased their

minimum wage and numerous others are considering a variety of approaches including graduated orincremental increases with adjustments based on the consumer price index. For us, New Yorkers,the legislation we are introducing this session represents a positive charge to the economy. Whilethe increases in other states have ranged from a low of $7.64 to a high of $9.04 per hour, we need toacknowledge that among them, New York has experienced the highest national cost of livingincreases while its wages have remained stagnant. The proposed increase will charge our localeconomies. The Employment Law Project study tells us that were we to adjust the minimum wageto the cost of living increase, on a federal level, it would be $10.58. Another study by the FiscalPolicy Institute has declared that for New York, the enactment of this legislation will benefit 1million workers and result in the creation 25,000 jobs - 25,000 jobs that will add to a greaterconsumer base, greater profit and an increase in the tax base. Clearly, this is a win for New Yorks

residents and its businesses.

Senator Tony Avella said, Families in New York State have seen their cost of living increasewhile their salaries have stagnated for decades. Raising the states minimum wage will help over 1.1million struggling individuals and families who are trying to make ends meet during this difficulteconomic climate. The Senate Democratic Conference will continue to fight to make ensure that allhard working New Yorkers are able to support themselves and their families.

Senator Neil Breslin said, It is incumbent upon us as Legislators to make sure that the hardworking men and woman of this state are paid a livable wage. People who currently make minimumwage fall below the poverty line and that is simply unacceptable. Neighboring states have already

enacted laws to raise their minimum wage above the federal requirement and it is time for NewYork State to do the same.

Senator Martin Malav Dilan said, There is nothing to debate on Minimum Wage. There is overwhelming support by New Yorkers to increase the states minimum wage and all the evidenceshows the positive impact an increase will have on working families and local economies.

Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson said, During these tenuous economic times, it is imperative thatall working New Yorkers have the ability to provide for their families and contribute to the recoveryof the economy. My colleagues and I stand united in ensuring that our States minimum wage istransformed into an actual living wage in order to help all New Yorkers live a better life.

Senator Brad Hoylman said, I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in declaring ourstrong support for raising the minimum wage and indexing future increases to inflation, whichwould provide lasting support to our struggling working families while boosting our economy. Theminimum wage has fallen dramatically in real dollars over the past 30 years and, currently, theincome of a full-time worker earning the minimum wage is below the federal poverty level for ahousehold of two. If New York is truly to regain its status as the progressive capital of the nation,we must act now and pass this long-overdue increase.


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Senator Tim Kennedy said, Its time for the state to act. Western New Yorks working familiescant afford to wait for Washington. At the current $7.25 hourly minimum, people earn just $290each week and less than $15,000 a year for full-time work. It leaves families in Buffalo and acrossthe state struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. When the minimum wagerises, it will help lift families from poverty and boost local economic activity. The impact will beeconomic stimulus as working-class families secure greater purchasing power to benefit small

businesses.

Senator Liz Krueger said, Our announcement today makes clear there are a majority of senatorsready to vote to raise the minimum wage and tie it to the rate of inflation, a proposal endorsedacross the spectrum from organized labor to Crains New York Business. Theres only one questionleft: can the majority coalition allow a vote on this issue and let democracy happen, or will aminority of extremely conservative members veto the will of the people, prevent a floor vote, andprove that Albany dysfunction is alive and worse than ever?

Senator George Latimer said, Consumer spending is what drives our economy. An increasedminimum wage will increase consumer spending. That extra money will be spent in our

communities, at our small businesses and will be beneficial to revitalizing our local and regionaleconomies.

Senator Velmanette Montgomery said, This bill is very important and very timely. In the pastnine years the cost of everything in New York State has continued to climb steeply, as have thenumber of our citizens either living in poverty or barely getting by. This bill will not cure oureconomic inequities but it will provide the fundamental fairness owed to our people. The fact thatPresident Obama is proposing minimum wage legislation is wonderful, but there is no guaranteethat it will be acted upon by Congress, so it is our responsibility to provide this increase to thestruggling workers of New York State. And with the backing of 27 members there is no reason notto bring this bill to the floor immediately!

Senator Ted OBrien said, This will help hardworking families afford lifes necessities,strengthen our economy and benefit folks at all income levels. Minimum wage workers will puttheir increased wages right back into the economy by buying necessities they have been livingwithout, helping our economy and increasing tax revenues for local governments and schooldistricts.

Senator Kevin Parker said, I stand in solidarity with my Senate Colleagues in urging an increaseto the minimum wage that includes indexing. It is shameful that New York State has the greatestdegree of income inequality of all 50 states. It is time that we took care of our valuable workingclass citizens and help them achieve the American Dream.

Senator Jos Peralta said, An honest days work deserves an honest days pay. During the 1960sand 70s, a single minimum-wage job could support a family of three. The same job today isntenough to keep a family out of poverty. Increasing the minimum wage would not only better thelives of New Yorks working poor, it would give our economy a much-needed shot in the arm.Minimum wage earners cannot afford to sock away money, so any increase will immediatelybenefit local businesses through direct spending. Raising the minimum wage is both the right thingto do and the smart thing to do.


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Senator Bill Perkins said, Raising the minimum wage goes beyond dollars and cents. It makesmoral and common sense for workers and their families.

Senator Gustavo Rivera said, $7.25 is the minimum wage allowed by federal law. With our highcost of living, New York should not be at the bottom of the pay scale. Instead, New York Stateshould be leading the way in creating good, well-paying jobs that a family can actually live on. That

is why my colleagues and I have made raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation ourNo. 1 goal during this budget season.

Senator John Sampson said, I support raising New Yorks minimum wage and embrace PresidentObamas call for raising the federal minimum wage and indexing it to rise automatically each yearwith the cost of living. Today, thousands of New Yorks low-wage workers face a high cost ofliving, low and stagnant wages, and no clear pathways out of a crippling poverty. SenateRepublicans should join Democrats and pass a bi-partisan minimum wage increase law that willhelp lift many New Yorkers out of poverty. I believe that we can get this done.

Senator James Sanders said, Although raising the minimum wage to $9.00 per hour will not

make up for the real wages lost to inflation since we last raised the wage, it is a worthy step towardseconomic justice. We must now begin indexing the minimum wage to ensure that the wage keepsup with the cost of living. In addition, indexing the minimum wage will prevent us from having torevisit this battle over the wage in the future.

Senator Jos Serrano said, I stand in full support of common sense legislation that will raise theminimum wage to at least $9 an hour. Doing so will improve the quality and standard of life forworkers, reduce poverty, incentivize fair and more efficient business practices, and will be a bigstep towards strengthening the economy of our great State.

Senator Daniel Squadron said, A strong New York depends on a system in which a job means a

decent life. Yet New York remains behind the curve in supporting those who work hard to supportthemselves and their families, said Senator Daniel Squadron. Its time for a minimum wage thatsbased on the real cost of living now and in the future. New York must raise and index the minimumwage -- so that we can truly provide real opportunity for all who seek it.

Senator Cecilia Tkaczyksaid, Raising the minimum wage will certainly benefit low-incomefamilies, but it will also help small businesses and the local economy. When working people havemore money to spend, they spend it on basic necessities like housing, food and clothing. Theincreased demand helps small, local businesses earn greater profits and create more jobs.

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02.27.13 Minimum Wage Press Conference