Breakaway Senate Dems unveil 'Invest New York' policy agenda

BY KEN LOVETT, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Monday, January 19, 2015, 1:48 PM

The breakaway group of five Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled a 15-point policy agenda for the new legislative session that includes a call to give localities like New York City the power to set their own minimum wage rates.

Other proposals in the "Invest New York" package would be the creation of an education investment tax credit that private and parochial schools have been pushing for years, a $400 million school construction trust fund, and various housing initiatives.

“Invest New York is a bold and ambitious agenda that meets the challenges facing working families head-on. We have a unique opportunity to fundamentally transform the lives of working men and women who ask nothing more than the opportunity to work hard, send their kid to college, and save for a long and prosperous retirement. Each of these investments reflects IDC priorities of making our state more affordable, making our citizens’ lives better, and ensuring that a brighter tomorrow exists for generations to come.”

The Independent Democratic Conference minimum wage plan is different than one proposed by Gov. Cuomo on Sunday. Cuomo's plan would hike the minimum wage in New York City to $11.50 and $10.50 in the rest of the state.

The IDC would keep in place the plan to raise the minimum wage to $9 by the end of the year but enact Mayor de Blasio's push to allow high-cost localities to set their own wage by as much as 30% above the state minimum. Under the plan, New York City would be able to set its rate at $11.70 per hour by 2016.

The IDC is also proposing a student loan debt relief plan, something Cuomo also pitched on Sunday.

How much of the overall agenda will be enacted remains to be seen. Unlike the past two years, when the breakaway Dems controlled the Senate with the Republicans in an unprecedented power-sharing arrangement, the IDC this year will have less influence on the agenda now that the GOP has a full majority.

But the IDC did enter into another coalition agreement, meaning the Republicans will likely feel obligated to allow some of their legislation to the floor for adoption.

The 15-point agenda was applauded by various labor unions and other advocates.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/breakaway-senate-dems-unveil-invest-new-york-policy-agenda-blog-entry-1.2084096