SENATOR DEFRANCISCO STANDS WITH CENTRAL NEW YORK BUSINESS OWNERS, HEALTHCARE AND DAYCARE PROVIDERS, FARMERS AND NON PROFIT LEADERS TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER A $15/HOUR MINIMUM WAGE

Syracuse, NY (3/4/16) - State Senator John A. DeFrancisco was proud to join with various business owners, farmers, and healthcare leaders from throughout the Central New York community to express concern over the Governor’s proposal to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

“Many of my constituents have called my office and met with me on several occasions to express their concern that a $15/hour minimum wage could force them to lay off workers, raise consumer prices, or even close their doors for good. I am standing by my principals and standing with my constituents, who are telling me that this will hurt them and their employees badly,” said Senator DeFrancisco.

Senator DeFrancisco was joined at today’s press conference by various stakeholders, including members of the small business community, the farming industry, the not-for-profit sector, early childhood care, food service, construction, and from the healthcare and long-term care fields.

Those who joined Senator DeFrancisco at today’s press conference in opposition of the $15 an hour minimum wage proposal included: Mike Durant, Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Greg Biryla, Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate, Lev Ginsburg with the New York State Business Council, James Calvin, President of the New York Association of Convenience Stores, and Mark Henderson from Patriot Tank Lines.  Central New York area participants included: Daniel Palladino, President of the Onondaga County Farm Bureau, Marcus Richards, dairy farmer in Skaneateles, Tony Emmi, vegetable farmer in Baldwinsville, Steve Tallman, Owner of TAG Mechanical Systems, Kristin Pearce and Margaret Southard, co-owners of Bright Starts of CNY, Paula Demm with Burke’s Do It Best Home Center, Joseph Geglia, Executive Director of Elmcrest, Phil Quillard  of Elderwood Healthcare at Birchwood, Dave Camerota of Central Park Nursing Home, Richard Anderson of Vector Construction in Cicero, and Jamie Evans with Reserve Supply of Central New York.

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