Skip to main content

NY1: Lawmakers push to include minimum wage in state budget

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

The Legislative Gazette: Video: Sen. Jessica Ramos Leads “Raise The Wage” Rally in Albany

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.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Read more

Newsday: Phil Andrews, LIAACC: Raising the minimum wage helps businesses thrive

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. ...

Capital Gazette (Md): Aaron Seyedian: Raising the minimum wage works for local businesses

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: Small Business Owners, Local Unions, Workers, Rally Together

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...

Baltimore Sun: Gov. Wes Moore: Raising Maryland's minimum wage a ‘game changer’

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...

Spectrum News: Business impact of potential minimum wage hike in New York debated

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...

The Citizen: 'Important for quality of life': NY businesses endorse higher minimum wage

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...