How The Raise The Wage Act Could Affect New York Workers

 April 10, 20205, the Raise the Wage Act was announced by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with 32 members of the Senate and 146 members of the House of Representatives. 

The Raise the Wage Act legislation's goal is designed to raise the minimum wage to $17 for all workers and gradually eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers by 2030, according to the announcement.

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Senator Gillibrand noted in the announcement that in 2024, almost one in four workers in the United States made less than $17 per hour.

The current minimum wage in New York State is $15.50, except in Westchester, New York City, and Long Island, where the minimum wage is currently $16.50. Passing the Raise the Wage Act would mean raises to approximately 213,000  New York State workers, and over 22 million Americans according to the Economic Policy Institute. 

A living wage is critical to make sure that Americans can pay their bills, feed their families, and put a roof over their heads. No one working full-time in the United States should be living in poverty. This legislation will help lift workers out of poverty, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to get it passed. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Federally, the current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which is the lowest it's been since 1956. Senator Gillibrand notes that the federal minimum wage has declined significantly since it was last increased in 2009.

A copy of the bill can be found here.

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