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The Tompkins County Legislature has called upon Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to raised the State's minimum wage to $15 per hour, supporting a plan that would phase in the new rate by 2021.  The vote was 13-1, with Legislator Mike Sigler voting no.  Noting that wages paid by a variety of health and human services providers are often limited by State-established cost reimbursement formulas, the measure also asks the State to increase assistance to County governments to support a $15 per hour wage floor in local human services contracts.

In introducing the resolution, Government Operations Committee Chair Dan Klein said that, while there has been one idea advanced to seek State permission to set a Tompkins County minimum wage at the local Living Wage level, this measure supports the phased-in minimum wage increase for all of New York State.  Mr. Klein said he believes Tompkins County is the first municipality in New York State to have taken this position.

Before the vote, Legislator Sigler expressed concern that such an increase would have unintended negative consequences—that while large employers, such as big retail chains, could handle the increase, small business would find it difficult, jobs would be lost, and some firms would go out of business.  He also said that low-wage workers, while boosted to the higher rate per hour, would find it next to impossible to pay for child care, whose providers would also be earning $15 per hour.  Both Legislators Dooley Kiefer and Carol Chock supported wording changes supporting achievement of the $15 rate sooner than 2021, if possible.  Kiefer's proposed amendment failed by a 6-8 margin.

Several legislators acknowledged the challenges involved in the minimum wage increase.  Legislator Peter Stein said it's clear that economists cannot predict the results, but maintained that the minimum wage is a moral issue that says that every person who works is able to have a decent life.  Legislator Rich John said he, too, has some concerns, including that the high percentage of students in his district, most not employed, will pay higher prices, but he said it seems as though such an increase is long overdue.

Legislator Anna Kelles said that, should the increase be approved, there will be a responsibility to have an infrastructure in place to minimize the risks, and education and outreach will be critical.  Legislator Jim Dennis said he has great reservations about the concept, but would support it.  Legislature Chair Michael Lane said he had some concerns as the matter was first brought up, and said some structural changes would have to be address, but that there are people across the state who need help and a statewide approach in the right way to address it.  Legislator Carol Chock said that, while some may say that raising the minimum wage is complicated, what is really complicated is living on $8.75 an hour.

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