A tentative agreement to raise New York's minimum wage to as much as $17 in the coming years has drawn critics from both sides of the aisle.
Progressive Democrats, labor union organizations and advocates are holding out for a $21.25 proposal initially made earlier this year in order to support low-income New Yorkers. Republicans and leading business groups argue the wage hike, which is also expected to be tied to inflation, will hurt job creation and drive up costs further.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has signaled support for the proposal, reported Tuesday by Spectrum News 1.
Under the framework, the minimum wage in the New York City area would increase from $15 an hour to $17 by 2026. North of Westchester County, the wage would grow from $14.20 to $17 by 2028.
Once phased in, future increases would be tied to the rate of inflation.
"New Yorkers are struggling and we have to raise wages so they can pay their bills, pay their rent, pay their utility bills, pay for food for their kids," Hochul said this week. "I put out tying to inflation, but from the beginning have been open to a conversation."
Wage increases have often been the product of compromise in Albany. The current wage law is the product of a multi-sided agreement that included then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republicans who held power in the state Senate.
For supporters of a higher wage, the measure would help lift struggling families facing higher costs. For businesses, they argue the wage increase would add even more costs...
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