New York State legislators can’t seem to agree on a minimum wage increase, meaning the proposed rate hike may be shelved for now.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says he wants to raise the state’s minimum wage rate. However, he says that Republicans in the State Senate are standing in his way — and their opposition will likely kill the measure altogether.
“I don’t think this is, at this time, in the realm of the possible because the Senate has a heart-felt position in opposition,” Cuomo said.
Political-watchers are confused as to why Cuomo isn’t taking more of a stand. After all, this is the same Governor who played a big role in passing other laws that had the deck stacked much higher against them — like the legalization of gay marriage and the overhaul of New York’s tax code.
It’s those issues, though, that are affecting the Republicans’ position on minimum wage. Since they’ve already given in to their Democratic Governor on those issues, they’re not likely to support another law that may anger their voters even more — especially in an election year where State Senate Democrats will be trying to take back the majority.
However, Republicans haven’t completely closed the door on the issue. Even though Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has called the rate increase a job killer, he hasn’t ruled out a compromise.
Democrats argue that there is no compromise on minimum wage, though. A few have already mentioned the deadlock in their campaign ads.
“This is not a bill you compromise on. Are you for the minimum wage or against the minimum wage? The minimum wage is not a minimum wage, it’s a poverty wage. This is not a political issue, this is not a political football, this is a moral issue,” Senate Minority Leader John Sampson said.
Despite the Governor’s pessimistic statements, New York Democrats aren’t willing to give up on the issue just yet.
“He’s just making a prediction. He’s a great governor, I’m not sure he’s a great prognosticator,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said. “It’s not a matter of pushing harder. The public is pushing harder.”