Statement from Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

Today’s decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board is a monumental disaster that will sadly be the final straw for many of our struggling family farms. The current labor mandates were already a tremendous burden on our farmers, particularly at a time when many of them are still reeling from the pandemic, supply chain issues, and soaring prices. 

Throughout the public comment period, hundreds of farmers and workers took time out of their busy days to voice their concerns that lowering the OT threshold will threaten small family farms and force workers to other states. Sadly, their voices fell on deaf ears and once again, the political ruling class in Albany ignored those directly impacted by this decision.

At a time when we have already seen many businesses leave New York and family farms have been forced to shut down, this reduction will cause further devastation to our agriculture industry. It will sadly force even more of our family farms out of business, hurt workers, and increase costs to consumers.  

###