The NY State Assembly
Labor Committee

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

     A bill to raise the state's minimum wage was reported from the Assembly's Labor Committee. The bill, A. 5132, sponsored by Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, would increase the state's minimum wage from the current rate of $5.15 to $6.75. The legislation also provides that on January 1, 2003 the wage would be increased to reflect any increase in the state average weekly wage as calculated by the Department of Labor.

     "The state minimum rate of $5.15 per hour was increased in December 1999 after ten years at $4.25. This was done to reflect the federal rate. Other states, such as Connecticut, Vermont, Oregon, and Washington State have increased their minimum rate to a rate higher than $5.15 per hour. Massachusetts recently raised its rate to $6.75 per hour," said Assemblywoman Nolan.

     "I am pleased that we were able to move this bill out of the committee quickly. It is the first step to passage by the full Assembly. Raising the minimum wage has widespread support. Currently the bill has thirty-one co-sponsors and I expect that number to increase," said Assemblywoman Nolan.

     The bill now goes to the Codes Committee for review.

ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARINGS

     The Assembly's Labor Committee will be co-sponsoring two legislative hearings in the upcoming weeks. The first hearing will address the "Summer Jobs Program" and will examine the benefits gained by youths from participation in the summer jobs program. The hearing will also focus on how the Workforce Investment Act has or will affect summer youth employment opportunities. It will be held on Friday, March 2, 2001 at 10:30am at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, Second floor, New York, NY. This hearing is being held jointly with the Committee on Social Services, Deborah Glick, Chair, Committee on Children and Families, Roger Green, Chair and the Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education, William Scarborough, Chair.

     The second hearing will focus on the "Reliance on Adjunct Faculty at the City and State Universities of New York". This hearing will examine the impact of the high percentage of adjunct teaching at the City and State Universities and to solicit public input on methods to improve the ratio of full-time to part-time faculty. It will be held on Friday, March 9, 2001 at 10:00am in the Assembly Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, Room 1923, 19th floor, New York, NY. This hearing is being held jointly with the Committee on Higher Education, Edward Sullivan, Chair.

     For further information on these hearings or any other labor issues, please feel free to call Geri Reilly, Committee Counsel and Labor Liaison at (518) 455-4851.