By Emyle Watkins
WBFO-FM 88.7 (NPR), April 14, 2023

In Western New York, some business owners are calling for the state to raise and index the minimum wage as part of the final budget and pass the Raise the Wage Act.

Annie Adams, owner of the consignment store Second Chic, says that she realized her employees were struggling and decided to increase wages.

“About a year ago, I gave my team a bonus. Then I doubled it because they had done so much higher than their goal," Adams said. ...

Adams said her workers now start...

By Jimmy Jordan
The Ithaca Voice, April 10, 2023

As negotiations continue over the New York State budget after missing its initial April 1 deadline, business owners, workers, and labor advocates in Tompkins County are all waiting to see what becomes of the state’s minimum wage. ...

Joe Wetmore, the former owner of Autumn Leaves Used Books, said he supported further increasing the minimum wage and tying it to inflation. He criticized Hochul’s proposal to give the governor’s office the power to cap the increases to the minimum wage that would come as a result...

WUFO/Power 96.5 FM Buffalo, The Public Good, 4/4/23

Andrea Súilleabháin interviews business owners Brandi Barrett and Annie Adams about raising New York's minimum wage.

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By Sasha Jones
New York Business Journal, April 3, 2023

More than 300 New York businesses sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie calling for the state's minimum wage to be incrementally raised to $21.25, with annual indexing to inflation.

“We can’t build a resilient economy and thriving communities on a minimum wage that’s too low for people to live on,” the letter reads.

The business owners and executives who have signed onto the letter include several prominent New York City companies, including Michael Lastoria, founder and CEO of &pizza; Aaron Seyedian, owner...

Yonkers Times, April 3, 2023

As debate over raising the minimum wage in the state budget continues, over 300 businesses and business organizations across New York have signed a letter from New York Business for a Fair Minimum Wage calling on Gov. Hochul and the state legislature to incrementally raise the minimum wage to $21.25, with annual indexing, as called for in the Raise the Wage Act (S1978A/A2204A).

Supporters include business leaders across the state from Buffalo and the Finger Lakes to the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley to New York City and the Long...

Errol Lewis, "Inside City Hall"
NY1 (Spectrum News), March 31, 2023

Sen. Jessica Ramos, sponsor of the Raise the Wage Act and chair of the Labor Committee, and Phil Andrews, president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, which represents hundreds of Black-owned businesses across Long Island, joined Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Friday to discuss the fight to increase the minimum wage statewide.

Read more and WATCH

By Alexander Thomas
The Legislative Gazette, March 29, 2023

Led by Senator Jessica Ramos, hundreds of supporters gathered for a rally in Albany on March 1 in support of a bill, which would incrementally increase New York’s minimum wage to $21.25 by 2027. 

Speakers included Alissa Barron-Menza, Vice President of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, and Morris Pearl, Chair of the Patriotic Millionaires.

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Op-Ed By Annie Adams, Owner, Second Chic
As a small business owner, I’m invested in New York. I’m not looking for a quick buck. I’m building a business to last for many years to come. That’s why I support raising New York’s minimum wage and then adjusting it in future years to keep up with the cost of living instead of falling behind. ...

Op-Ed By Phil Andrews, President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce

At the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to strengthening businesses, the workforce and our economy. Raising and then indexing New York’s minimum wage to keep up with the cost of living will do just that. ...

Op-Ed By Aaron Seyedian
Capital Gazette, March 22, 2023

As a small business owner, I am encouraged to see Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers recognize that Maryland’s minimum wage has fallen behind the cost of living.

An eroded minimum wage is bad for workers, businesses and our economy.

Raising the minimum wage will boost consumer spending, which boosts local businesses. Minimum wage increases go right back into the economy and help businesses like mine grow and add jobs.

Moore’s plan to address the rising cost of living by speeding up implementation of Maryland’s $15 minimum...

Hudson Valley Press, March 22, 2023

On Thursday, March 9th, the Raise Up NY Coalition and member For the Many rallied with Teamsters Joint Council 16, CWA Local 1120, minimum wage workers, and small business owners outside Middletown City Hall in support of the Raise the Wage Act (S1978A/A2204A), which would raise New York’s minimum wage to $21.25 by 2027 and index it to inflation. ...

The Raise the Wage Act is supported by 89% of Mid-Hudson Valley voters, more than any other region in the state. Statewide, that includes 89% of Democrats, 82% of...

Op-Ed By Aaron Bartley, Owner, FITZ Books and Waffles

As a small business owner, I know that we need people who work for a living to be able to make a living. ... Raising the minimum wage is a critical investment.

Op-Ed By Gov. Wes Moore
The Baltimore Sun, March 17, 2023

When I made the decision to run for governor, I couldn’t help but think about the person who first inspired me to live a life of public service. ... [My mother] worked multiple jobs — and didn’t get a position with benefits and a stable wage until I was 14 years old. But she kept pushing, and when she finally did get that job, she found a role that didn’t just change the trajectory of her life, it changed the trajectory of our entire family...

By Nick Reisman
Spectrum News, March 17, 2023

... Supporters of the wage increase pointed to the backing from small business owners, including Annie Adams, the owner of Second Chic in Buffalo, a consignment business. 

“When workers in our community make more, they are going to spend more at local businesses. It will inject revenues and vitality into our small businesses," Adams said. "I’ve seen firsthand how investing in employees generates business growth. Both of our locations have incredible followings because the team knows the inventory and love to help customers when they are shopping. There is no way we...

By Robert Harding
The Citizen, March 15, 2023

... The New York Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Coalition, with more than 250 members, endorsed the Raise the Wage Act. ... The coalition highlighted a Data for Progress poll released in January that found 80% of likely voters in New York either strongly or somewhat support the Raise the Wage Act. In upstate regions, at least two-thirds of voters said they support the legislation.

Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, said it helps businesses when customers have more money to spend...