In New York State, thousands of people living on minimum wage struggle to make ends meet. The minimum wage in New York is currently $7.25 per hour, or $15,080 per year. About 80 percent of New Yorkers support a raise in the current minimum wage.
In the past 5 years, the New York State minimum wage has only been increased by 10 cents. Our current minimum wage is not enough for families to pay for basic necessities such as rent, food, clothing, heating, transportation, medical bills, and saving for the future. A raise in the New York State minimum wage would make the quality of life better for more than 1 million New Yorkers.
Some people think that increasing the minimum wage could further harm the economy, or could cause job loss. Additionally, some people believe that raising the minimum wage would negatively affect small businesses.
However, rather than harming the economy, raising the minimum wage would increase consumer spending and boost the economy. If the minimum wage is increased, people would have more money to spend on basic necessities. Workers who earn minimum wage would go back into the community and buy goods, perhaps from some small businesses.
It is important to raise awareness among the public about this important issue. Those who work full time should have enough money to keep up with the cost of living in New York. It is time to raise the New York State minimum wage.
Think about this. People living on minimum wage have to live check to check, and sometimes that isn't enough. All their money is spent on many necessary expenses, and sometimes there isn't enough money. Some have to go to soup kitchens and food pantries because they don't even have enough money left over to buy food. How is that fair?
