President Obama Calls on Congress to Act – Jerry Brown and Andrew Cuomo Both Put Their States on Track to More Than Double the Federal Minimum Wage
Today two Democratic governors of two of the nation’s largest states, California Gov. Jerry Brown and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, signed bills into law that will establish $15 minimum wages.Â
Both laws increase the minimum wage over a period of several years.
“People are angry because they are afraid. They are afraid the American dream is slipping away,” Gov. Cuomo said. “We want economic justice and we want it now.”Â
Different parts of New York have dramatically different costs of living. The minimum wage statewide currently has been $9.00 since January, and under the new law different parts of the state will see increases at different times.Â
“New York’s minimum wage will gradually increase to $15 an hour on Dec. 31, 2018 in New York City and to $15 an hour on Dec. 31, 2021 in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties,” Syracuse.com reports. “In Upstate New York, the minimum wage would gradually increase to $12.50 on Dec. 31, 2020, with future increases to $15 an hour tied to an indexed schedule to be set by the governor’s budget director.”
In California, Gov. Brown, signing the bill into law, said, “Morally and socially and politically, they (minimum wages) make every sense because it binds the community together and makes sure that parents can take care of their kids in a much more satisfactory way.â€
The law follows measures in Los Angeles and San Francisco, among other cities, to gradually raise their own minimum wages to $15. It is expected to affect millions of low-wage workers and businesses that employ them, especially in the state’s agriculture, restaurant and retail industries. Some 6 million Californians currently earn the minimum wage.
By 2022, a full-time minimum-wage worker would see annual earnings increase to $30,000 from $20,000 today.
In a statement, President Barack Obama today said, “I commend Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state of New York for taking the historic step of creating a paid family leave program in the state and raising its minimum wage to support New York’s working families.”Â
“This action means more parents won’t have to choose between their job and caring for their new children,” the President continued. “It means more workers can earn a higher wage to help make ends meet. Since I first called on Congress to increase the federal minimum wage in 2013, 18 states and more than 40 cities and counties have acted on their own — thanks to the strong leadership of elected officials, businesses, and workers who organized and fought so hard for the economic security families deserve. Now Congress needs to act to raise the federal minimum wage and expand access to paid leave for all Americans.”
Democratic preidential candidate Hillary Clinton was on hand in New York to celebrate with Gov. Cuomo.
Sen. Bernie Sanders issued a statement in support of both states:
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Images via Twitter: Gov. Brown via SEIU California, Gov. Cuomo via Andrew Cuomo