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By  Edwin J. Viera
Public News Service, March 9, 2023, run by more than 100 outlets across New York and nationally

A bill in the New York State Legislature would increase the minimum wage to over $20 by 2026. ...

Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of the group Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, described how raising the minimum wage could reduce small business employee turnover.

"When we raise the minimum wage," said Barron-Menza, "that pays off for businesses in lower turnover, reduced hiring and training costs, fewer errors, and better productivity as workers can afford to stick around longer and get to know your business better. And, ultimately better customer service which is what helps keep customers coming back." ...

More than 200 [Now nearly 300] New York businesses and business organizations supported the bill by signing on to the New York Business for a Fair Minimum Wage statement. ...

Johanna Dominguez owns Put a Plant On It, a plant store in Buffalo. She's one of numerous small business owners in support of raising the minimum wage. ...

Dominguez said a minimum-wage increase can help keep employees satisfied with their jobs.

"I find that, both as a consumer but also as a small-business owner," said Dominguez, "when there's employee retention, and employees are greeting customers in a friendly and happy manner and not like in a dissociative 'I hate my job' manner that the customers end up coming back a lot more frequently." ...

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