Senator Jessica Ramos Issues Statement on Minimum Wage Deal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2023

CONTACT: Astrid Aune, aaune@nysenate.gov

QUEENS, NY - On Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a final deal after negotiations surrounding raising New York’s minimum wage. Following the announcement, Senator Jessica Ramos, the lead sponsor of the Raise the Wage Act, issued the following statement:

“While I am glad the conversation we started led to a wage increase for New York’s working families, I cannot hide my disappointment that the catch-up is so meager. 

We have to take the war on poverty more seriously. The true cost of living in New York — and particularly within the five boroughs— simply cannot be sustained at $17 per hour. This agreement has effectively codified a wage that keeps working families poor.

I’d like to thank the Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker for their efforts to get the best possible deal, but we still have much work to do together. 

I was inspired to draft the Raise the Wage Act after seeing the hardships endured by families in my district who are living in shelters while working full-time. I will not forget them now. We must go further and find real solutions to address housing and wage insecurity. My fight to put money in New Yorkers’ pockets is not over.”