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Legislation Would Increase Wage to $7.15 Per Hour By January 2007
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.7682-A), sponsored by Senator Olga Mendez (R-D-I-L, Manhattan/Bronx), to raise New York's minimum wage to $7.15 per hour from the existing $5.15 level -- a $2.00 increase. The bill, which received legislative agreement yesterday, would establish a state minimum wage of $6.00 per hour on January 1, 2005, $6.75 per hour on January 1, 2006, and $7.15 per hour on January 1, 2007.
Food service workers who routinely collect tips when rendering services would also receive proportionate increases in the sub-minimum wage, known as the tip wage. Under the legislation, the tip minimum wage for these employees would be raised from the existing $3.30 level to $3.85 per hour on January 1, 2005, $4.35 per hour on January 1, 2006, and $4.60 per hour on January 1, 2007.
"It has been four years since the minimum wage was last increased in New York State, and since then 12 other states and the District of Columbia have raised their minimum wage above $5.15," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R-Brunswick). "The increase will help the working families at the lowest income levels make ends meet, without putting an undue burden on small businesses and the economy, while it helps the working poor realize the value and dignity of hard work."
Senator Bruno praised the leadership of Senate Labor Chair Olga Mendez and other Majority sponsors of the bill for their efforts in establishing the new minimum wage and thanked AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes and his supporters in organized labor for his efforts, who, along with other advocates, helped to make this proposal a reality.
"Throughout my career, I have fought for the rights of the working men and women of my district and across New York State," said Senator Mendez. "This legislation is a tremendous victory for all the hard working families in New York who have been struggling to make ends meet earning the minimum wage, and today�s increase will help them face the challenges of living, working and raising their children."
"Those earning the current state minimum wage do not earn enough to escape poverty," said Senator Robach (R- Rochester). "Increasing the minimum wage is the only way that many of these hardworking New Yorkers will be able to survive and continue to contribute to our state."
"It is clear now that there will be no Congressional action on the minimum wage," said Senator Owen H. Johnson (R-C, Babylon), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "The needs of New York's working families demand that we take the initiative and raise the state's minimum wage."
"I�m very pleased that the time has come to raise the minimum wage and to give New Yorkers a better opportunity to earn a livable wage," said Senator Tom Morahan (R-C-I, New City). "The cost of living in the Empire State is more expensive than any other state in the nation, therefore it makes sense to pass this important legislation."
"This is a gradual measured increase over the next several years," Senator Frank Padavan (R-C, Bellerose) said. "Hopefully the federal government will act and make the minimum wage uniform, but in case they don't, we can leave here knowing we did the right thing for the working poor of New York."
"This bill is good news for anyone who's tried to support a family on $5.15 an hour," said Senator Michael Balboni (R-Mineola). "Gradually increasing the minimum wage over time is a commonsense solution to the problem."
"Every hard working New Yorker deserves to earn a fair wage," said Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset). "The increase provided in this bill will give workers earning the minimum a better opportunity to pay the bills and have more money in their pockets to purchase the necessities of life."
"Being a responsible, productive, employed worker should be properly recognized and compensated," said Senator Caesar Trunzo (R-Brentwood). "This gradual, phased-in minimum wage increase will give younger workers more incentive to stay in the workforce and get the educational and employment skills they'll need for a secure future."
"I continue to hold out hope that the federal government will act to raise the minimum wage, so that it would be done universally, rather than state by state," said Senator Bruno. "There is still plenty of time for the federal government to act before the increase goes into effect in January, and I hope that they will enact a similar minimum wage hike across the board before that time."
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