minimum wage

Living Wage Campaign Expands In Western Massachusetts

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:50:00 +0000

Massachusetts State Senate President Therese Murray last week raised the possibility of a debate in the legislature this year on raising the state’s minimum wage. Noting that both New York and Maine plan to raise their minimum wages, Murray said there is a growing gap between the $8 per hour minimum wage and a living wage in Massachusetts. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Kitty Callaghan, a member of the Living Wage Western Massachusetts steering committee.

Senate Passes Some Budget bills, Assembly Waits Until Thursday

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:05:53 +0000

The New York State Senate held a rare Sunday session at the Capitol, in an attempt to get the state budget finished on time in the midst of major religious holidays.

The State Senate met to vote on three previously agreed upon budget bills, in an attempt to finish the spending plan without interfering with the Easter and Passover holidays. Senate Finance Committee Chair John DeFrancisco explained it on the Senate floor.

“We’re trying to jumpstart the process,” said De Francisco, who says starting early gives everyone “ample time” for debating the bills.

NY Budget Accord Reached, Still Filling in Details

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:52:40 +0000

Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders agreed to a framework for a new state budget Wednesday evening, but say they are still working out many of the details .

Governor Cuomo says he and the legislative leaders have reached an accord on many of the budget issues, and hope to be finished passing everything by Sunday.

“I’m pleased to announce this evening that we have a budget agreement in concept,” said Cuomo, who said bills would begin printing immediately.

Hotbutton Issue: The Minimum Wage

Dave Lucas — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:08:00 +0000

Hotbutton Issue: The Minimum Wage

Dave Lucas — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:08:00 +0000

While New York is posturing to join 19 other states that have raised their minimum wages above the current federal level of $7.25 per hour, lawmakers in Washington are trying to promote passage of legislation that would hike the federal minimum wage to new heights.

NY budget to include $9 min wage

Jaired Crofut — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:05:49 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders reached a tentative deal last night increasing the state minimum wage over the next three years to $9-an-hour.

The Daily News reports that under the emerging agreement, the current $7.25 hourly minimum wage would increase in stages — to $8-an-hour in January; to $8.75 at the beginning of 2015; and topping off at $9-an-hour by the end of 2015. Meanwhile, Calling it a ploy by politicians in Albany, critics are blasting a proposal to extend a temporary income tax hike for millionaires.

New York State budget on fast track

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The New York State legislature is fast tracking the budget process, as they try to reach final agreements and get bills printed by the weekend. The negotiations drew protesters to the Capitol, who are demanding that the budget include a minimum wage increase to $9 an hour, with automatic future increases for inflation.

The 50 or so demonstrators directed their ire toward Governor Cuomo and Senate Co Leader Jeff Klein, who they say aren’t doing enough to convince Republicans in the Senate to go along with a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour.

3/12/13 - Panel

Joe Donahue — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Today's panelists are Alan Chartock, David Guistina from WAMC News, and Mike Spain, Associate Editor of The Times Union. Joe Donahue moderates.

Our topics are: New York state Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling blocks limits on sugary drinks; NY GOP State Senators now open to Minimum Wage hike; the conclave to elect a new pope is underway; the TSA says yes to small knives on planes.

Senate co-leaders differ on minimum wage provision in budget

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:43:52 +0000

The New York State Senate has included raising the state’s minimum wage in its one-house budget resolution. But that’s not necessarily a signal that a wage increase is moving forward in the state spending plan.

Senate Republicans and a group of breakaway Democrats who lead the Senate have included an increase in the state’s minimum wage in their one house version of the state budget.

Marist Poll: two-thirds support raising minimum wage

Alan Chartock — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:05:40 +0000

A new Marist College poll finds two-thirds of registered voters in New York support raising the minimum wage.

Director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion Lee Miringoff chats with Alan Chartock on this week’s The Capitol Connection Program , which you can hear Friday night at 10:30, Saturday at 1 or anytime at wamc.org.