Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Riga/Rush/Wheatland) announced his support for the Assembly Majority’s plan to increase the minimum wage. The current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, under the Assembly’s bill, it would increase to $8.50 in January 2013 and beginning in January 2014, the minimum wage would be indexed to the rate of inflation. Additionally, the minimum wage for food service workers who receive tips would increase from $5.00 to $5.86 per hour in January 2013, and would also be linked to the rate of inflation beginning in January 2014 (A.9148).

Currently, 18 other states – including the neighboring states of Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts – have higher minimum wages than New York. New York’s minimum wage has only increased by 10 cents per hour in the past five years, making it extremely difficult for families to get by, Bronson added.

“Our current economy, coupled with the increase in cost-of-living expenses, demands an increase to the state’s minimum wage,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “And now more than ever, our families need fairer wages to help them maintain a household comfortably. No one working full time should be on the edge of poverty.”

The top three job industries that saw growth in 2010 were sales employees, cashiers and food preparation workers, which are overwhelmingly minimum-wage jobs.ⁱ By increasing the state’s minimum wage, over 1 million New Yorkers would enjoy a better quality of life.

“Increasing the minimum wage is a must,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “It will bring purchasing power back to hardworking New Yorkers and restore strength to our local economies. Now is the time to help our hardworking families and make sure they receive a fair wage.”

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