Res. No. 1319-A
Resolution in support of A.9148/S.6413, which would raise the state minimum wage, and calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign this legislation.
By Council Members Williams, The Speaker (Council Member Quinn), Seabrook, Palma, Rodriquez, Lappin, Chin, Mark-Viverito, Brewer, Comrie, Dromm, Eugene, Ferreras, Fidler, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Levin, Mendez, Rose, Sanders Jr., Van Bramer, Vann, Recchia, Jackson, Barron, Foster, Dickens, Gennaro, Greenfield, Mealy and Halloran
Whereas, Pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour, effective July 24, 2009; and
Whereas, The New York State minimum wage is currently $7.25 and is superceded by the federal minimum wage rate if the latter is higher than the New York State rate; and
Whereas, Various minimum wage exceptions apply under specific circumstances to workers with disabilities, full-time students, youth under age 20 in their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment, tipped employees and student-learners; and
Whereas, A.9148 sponsored by New York State Assemblyman Keith Wright and Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver, and S.6413 sponsored by New York State Senator Jeffrey Klein were introduced in the New York State Legislature; and
Whereas, These acts seek to raise New York State's minimum wage to $8.50 an hour and provide for additional increases to the minimum wage that are tied to future increases in inflation; and
Whereas, A number of states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia, all have minimum wages higher than the federal government rate; and
Whereas, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Florida and Washington all increased their minimum wages in 2012 and have cost of living adjustments written into their state laws; and
Whereas, According to some existing economic research, the increased minimum wage would potentially translate into increased spending on locally produced goods and services by workers benefiting from the higher minimum wage, which could produce greater demand and could help stimulate the local economy; and
Whereas, According to a recent New York Times article, New Jersey is considering increasing its minimum wage to $8.50 this year; and
Whereas, Before taxes, a full time minimum wage worker in New York earning $7.25 per hour, working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, will earn $58 per day, $290 per week, or $15,080 per year; and
Whereas, The New York City poverty level for a family unit consisting of two people is $19,626 per year; and
Whereas, According to the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity, the most recent available data indicates that poverty in New York City has increased since 2008, with twenty-one percent of residents living at or below the poverty level; and
Whereas, New York City residents in minimum wage jobs should be provided with an increased wage to better support their families and provide them with food and shelter; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports A.9148/S.6413, which would raise the state minimum wage, and calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign this legislation.
LS# 3098, 3204, 3216, 3221, 3299, 3313, 3358, 3360
05/8/12
FCC