Statement by Senator Borrello on Decision by Labor Commissioner to Approve Lowering Farm Worker Overtime Threshold

STATEMENT BY SENATOR BORRELLO ON DECISION BY LABOR COMMISSIONER TO APPROVE LOWERING FARM WORKER OVERTIME THRESHOLD

“The decision by New York State’s Labor Commissioner to approve the Wage Board’s misguided recommendation is a surrender to the extremist wing of Democrat One Party Rule, against all the facts, data and stakeholder input that have been put forth on this issue over the past two years.

Farmers and independent analysis have concluded this action will spell the end for many farms in this once-vibrant industry and force others to scale down production, increase automation or relocate. Farm workers have repeatedly said that this move will force them to seek work in other states where they can work without limits on their earnings.

Yet, the Hochul administration has ignored all of these realities as well as the additional compensation that farm workers receive including housing, transportation and other benefits that are not provided in other industries.

The so-called tax credit that is everyone is claiming will be the solution to this issue is an optics band-aid that will come with burdensome strings attached and most likely have a short life. One Party Rule’s disastrous penchant for overspending has already put state finances in the red, which will necessitate major cutbacks, not only this year, but in the years to come. Anyone who believes this tax credit will be around for the next ten years and beyond is deluded.

This moment represents the tragic turning point where the Hochul administration decided to sacrifice New York’s farmers and agricultural industry for political expediency.”

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