9.28.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS To Raise Minimum Wage
Blog Categories
September 28, 2021
The New York State Department of Labor announced a forthcoming increase in the minimum wage across upstate New York.
On December 31, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $13.20 per hour, a 70-cent increase from the current rate.
As part of the 2016 state budget, the Legislature approved a gradual minimum wage increase through 2020. For 2021 and beyond, the Legislature outsourced this authority to the Department of Labor and Division of Budget, who are now authorized to raise the minimum annually, up to $15/hour. The enacting bill passed 61-1 in the Senate and 104-34 in the Assembly.
The Division of Budget prepares a report on economic conditions, which informs the new minimum wage rate. In the report, DOB recommends that our region’s “minimum wage rise annually by the sum of the annual growth rates for the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers and labor productivity.”
Minimum wages around the state. Source: NYSDOL.
In the BNP’s annual Member Survey, taken last week, 45% of employers responded that they may be forced to raise wages to weather the current labor shortages. This demonstrates that employers are responding to market conditions and are raising wages accordingly, without government mandate.
Related Posts
Election night wrap-up: Who won and what it means for Buffalo Niagara
Buffalo Niagara voters made their voices heard on Nov. 4 in a series of key local races. Based on unofficial vote tallies, here’s a look at who won and what’s next for our region’s leadership, courtesy of Buffalo Niagara Partnership Director of Government Affairs Josh Veronica.
Inside the room: What lawmakers told employers at BNP’s 2025 Policy Perspective
The BNP hosted Policy Perspective, a piece of the BNP’s annual Government Affairs series. The standing-room-only crowd heard from three of our region’s most influential lawmakers: Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Senator April Baskin, and Senator Patrick Gallivan. The lawmakers spoke on a panel moderated by BNP Director of Government Affairs Josh Veronica.
Bridging the Gap Conference Strengthens New York’s Semiconductor Supply Chain
Blog Back to Our Blog The University at Buffalo’s Bridging the Gap: Activating the Semiconductor Supply Chain Network conference connected leaders, manufacturers, and regional stakeholders for a two-day conversation on how to grow New York’s presence in the global semiconductor industry. Held July 15-16 at the UB Center for the Arts and Alfiero Center, the…
Policy focus: Power Trends Report underscores energy concerns
The New York Independent System Operator released its annual Power Trends report, which details the state of New York’s electric grid. The report’s findings are concerning and underscore the need for a more sensible approach to climate and energy policy.