Good Question Follow Up: NY Republicans asking Cuomo to delay minimum wage increase

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Last month, we got a Good Question from a viewer asking if the state minimum wage was still on track to increase at the end of the year despite the pandemic.

We asked the Department of Labor and they told us they were still looking into it.

Now, some state lawmakers are pushing to put the minimum wage increase on hold.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo Wednesday.

It calls for a pause on wage increases in areas outside of New York City.

The lawmakers say businesses are already struggling to keep their doors open because of the coronavirus, and the increase would make things worse.

They want to wait until the pandemic is over.

All employees in new york make at least $11.80 an hour, but the rate increases at the end of each year.

The goal is to keep raising it until it hits $15.00 an hour.

Click here for last month’s Good Question segment on the topic.