“The decision rendered by Gov. Cuomo’s minimum wage board was as predictable as it will be damaging. The governor failed to get what he wanted passed through the Legislature so he invented a panel to bypass us. Much like his decision on hydrofracking, the governor wants a third party to confirm his policy ideas, and then takes credit for their work. This decision will directly impact locally-owned franchises, like the 96% of McDonalds operating in New York State that are franchises, as well as over 99% of Dunkin Donuts. We shouldn’t have an economy where some businesses operate under a different set of rules than any other. These are, and have been, the types of divisive rules and regulations that have driven our economic rating to one of the worst in the nation.”

“We should be working to make New York a more affordable place for everyone. This comes through meaningful tax relief and removing burdensome regulations on our employers. This should be done through the Legislature, and passed in a manner fitting a democracy. This decision is bad policy, bad economics and bad government.”