Democratic Conference Continues Push For Minimum Wage Increase

In a press event at the Capital last week, the Senate Democratic Conference announced their unanimous support for raising the New York State minimum wage and indexing future increases to the rate of inflation. Led by Senator Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic Conference called for immediate action and noted that such legislation would likely pass since their 27 votes combined with the votes of multiple other Senators who have expressed support in the media, represent a majority.

“The time has come to raise the state’s minimum wage and help break the cycle of poverty faced by over 1.1 million hard working New Yorkers,” Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Raising the New York’s minimum wage and indexing it to the rate of inflation is supported by the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers, across the political spectrum, as well as a majority of Senators. I urge immediate action to ensure that all New Yorkers are provided fair wages for their hard work.”

That same day, all 27 members of the Democratic Conference signed a letter to the Co-Presidents of the Senate which explained that they are prepared to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour and index future increases to the rate of inflation.

To read the letter, click below.