The Case for Raising New York State’s Minimum Wage

Survey | Jan. 2013

The Case for Raising New York State’s Minimum Wage

Apurva Mehrotra

Summary: Against a widening income gap that leaves New York with the highest income inequality in the nation, state legislators are considering raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour, and indexing it to rise with inflation. This policy update informs the debate surrounding the proposed minimum wage increase by presenting findings on the hardships experienced by working poor wage earners. Moreover, we find that nearly nine out of ten New York City residents, representing all incomes and political affiliations, support an increase in the state's minimum wage.

Issues: Economic Mobility & Security, The Unheard Third, Workforce

Download PDF