WNYC, Brian Lehrer Show, March 13, 2026
New York City Council member Sandy Nurse talks about her proposal for legislation that would increase New York City's minimum wage from the current $17 per hour to $30 per hour by 2030.
Councilmember Sandy Nurse: ... It's been a benefit to businesses and a lot of the sectors here in New York City when they have raised the wage. We actually have a small business owner in our coalition. He runs an organization called [Well-Paid Maids], and he actually came and advocated at our press conference recently. ... He came and explained how paying fair wages has actually helped his business because he's investing in his workers. His workers stay longer. They're invested in the company. They provide better customer service. They provide higher productivity. Aaron's business is growing and thriving because he's paying fair wages. We do have small business owners who understand that higher wages helps them grow as well. ...
Councilmember Sandy Nurse: Our economy depends on consumer spending. Businesses, generally, you have more customers and consumers than you do have employees. When those customers have more money to spend, they spend it locally, they put it back into the economy. The minimum wage increases go right back into local businesses. ...