Raising Minimum Wage Expected to Create 4,800 New Job
NEW YORK, NY-- New York State will see an infusion of $600 million in
economic activity and a net creation of 4,800 new jobs if the state's
minimum wage is raised to $8.50 an hour, according to a new report
unveiled Sunday by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/ Westchester).
The analysis, prepared with the help of the Economic Policy Institute,
a Washington D.C. based non-partisan think tank, found that much like
eight other states that recently raised their minimum wage, New York
is primed to experience an economic boost from such an increase.
“This report shows that money in the pockets of minimum wage earners
ultimately means a greater demand for additional jobs,” said Senator
Klein. “Raising the minimum wage is not only the right thing to do for
the thousands of New Yorkers who are struggling to make ends meet
every week, it also benefits New York State as a whole.”
The increase to $8.50 an hour will boost the wages of affected workers
by roughly $950 million -- $600 million of which will be almost
immediately spent on goods and services. This economic activity is
expected to result in the creation of an estimated 5,200 new full time
jobs, adding approximately 4,800 new workers to payrolls across New
York.
Klein currently sponsors legislation (S.6413/ A.9148) with Assemblyman
Keith Wright (D-Manhattan) and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
(D-Manhattan) to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour and peg New
York's minimum wage to the rate of inflation in future years.
Senator Klein and Assemblyman Wright released the report with the
support of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the
Working Families Party, and others.
“Retail is one of the fastest-growing low-wage sectors of our economy.
It’s where the positive impact of a higher minimum wage in New York
will be seen and felt quite dramatically," said Stuart Appelbaum,
President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU),
UFCW. "Too many retail workers are barely surviving today. But if they
earn more through a minimum wage increase, they will spend the
additional income quickly on basic necessities, which will boost
businesses and help create new jobs. Raising the minimum wage is
really a win-win for everyone. That's why the idea is so popular."
The report also highlights that while New York's minimum wage has
remained stagnant, increased costs for housing, food and utilities
have resulted in decreased buying power for minimum wage earners.
During nearly every year from 1960-1980, New York maintained a minimum
wage average of 108% of the three-person federal poverty level. This
stands in stark contrast to today, where declining purchasing power
has forced the statewide minimum wage to drop to below 82% of the
poverty level.
Since 2004, staple food items - like milk, bread and cheese - have
experienced double digit price increases.
Since 2007:
Home heating oil costs have increased 45%
Gas has increased 43%
Rent has increased 10 % in the New York City Metro Area.
"The time has come to promote fairness and dignity for thousands of
hard working New Yorkers," said Senator David Carlucci, (D-Rockland/
Orange). "These folks deserve a break, and even more so, deserve to
know that they can afford to make ends meet. Passing an increase in
the minimum wage will provide this much needed safety net and build a
stronger economy."
“We are a state where we allow people to work, but not make enough to
survive,” said Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn.) “As
this report shows, by raising the floor of prosperity, we will also be
raising the ceiling.”
"Low wages in New York mean bigger paychecks for CEOs and bigger
profits for giant corporations but they're bad for New York" said
Andres Kwon, minimum wage campaign director at the Working Families
Party. "Poverty wages are holding back our economic recovery. New York
needs a raise."
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