NY Lawmakers Up the Ante on Hochul Minimum Wage, Call for Raises

New York state Senate and Assembly Democrats have pushed back on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to tie the minimum wage to inflation, saying the hourly rate should first be boosted to ensure workers earn a living wage.

Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both the Senate and Assembly, each released their own budget proposals on Tuesday. The documents are largely ceremonial but provide insight into points of contention as budget negotiations begin.

The deadline for lawmakers and Hochul to agree on and pass the proposed $227 billion state budget is March 31.

Both houses omitted Hochul’s plan to cap minimum ...